**The Red and the Black: Cameroon’s War of Decolonization Unveiled**
January 28, 2025 will mark a pivotal date in the history of Franco-Cameroonian relations. The long-awaited report, which Karine Ramondy and her peers delivered to President Paul Biya in Yaoundé, sheds new light on the tumults of decolonization in Cameroon. Far from being a simple historical retrospective, this document of more than a thousand pages sheds a harsh light on the extreme violence that marked this tumultuous period.
In the late 1950s, Cameroon, then under French mandate, was a hotbed of growing nationalist tensions. The events that took place there have often been overshadowed by simplistic narratives of decolonization, seeking to minimize the brutality that characterized these struggles for independence. This new report confronts this collective amnesia by evoking the tragic realities of this conflict. The war of decolonization was not just a change of flag. It was a struggle for the soul of a nation, and the human cost was incalculable.
A key issue raised is the tragic disappearances of emblematic figures of the independence movement, such as Ruben Um Nyobé and Félix Moumié. Their deaths, long shrouded in mystery, are critical focal points in the analysis of the repressive violence carried out by the French authorities. The report also raises questions about the impunity of the instigators and the twists and turns of an often-masked truth.
It is relevant to compare this situation with other contexts of decolonization in Africa. For example, the Algerian War, which was also marked by atrocities and the systematic use of violence by the French colonial state, sparked a public debate within French and Algerian societies that continues to influence their relations to this day. Similarly, the Cameroon report could catalyze a vital dialogue on the need to confront this tragic past. The comparisons highlight recurring patterns of colonial violence and struggles for justice, often stifled by official narratives.
It is also crucial to analyze the impact of this war of decolonization on the collective consciousness of Cameroonians and on national identity. While African countries, after gaining their independence, had to reinvent themselves, Cameroon is no exception. The painful legacy of the struggle for independence, reinforced by a climate of distrust towards the authorities, is felt today in social and political discourse. By addressing themes such as historical reparations, reconciliation or even a genuine recognition of past events, new generations are called upon to revisit their history in light of contemporary discoveries..
Beyond academic voices, this report offers a rich breeding ground for artistic expression and cultural initiatives. Cinema, literature and graphic arts are powerful platforms to reexamine this period and revive a dialogue on collective memory. How can artists translate this search for truth into works that question the present, while respecting the pain of the past?
This report, by raising public awareness of the tragic realities of Cameroonian decolonization, also represents a unique opportunity to spark debates on past violence, power dynamics and the consequences of this past on bilateral relations today. The lessons learned from this dark historical chapter could even shed light on other contemporary conflicts in search of resolution and lasting peace.
In conclusion, the report presented by Karine Ramondy and her team is not just a historical document. It is a call for collective reflection, a tipping point for France and Cameroon to move forward together towards a necessary reconciliation. Opening archives, committing to justice for victims and educating future generations are all challenges to be met. The memory of the men and women who fought for freedom must be honoured with the rigour and truth it deserves. Collective reflection on this clever balance between memory and reconciliation is undoubtedly the only way to truly turn the page on the colonial era in Africa.