In a significant acknowledgment, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, admitted that France engaged in a 'war' against insurrectional movements in Cameroon before and after the country's independence in 1960, marked by 'repressive violence' from colonial authorities and the French military.

This admission was made public on August 12, 2025, following a comprehensive report released in January that detailed France's actions in Cameroon, including mass forced displacements and support for violent militias during the independence struggle.

Macron's statement is part of a broader memorial policy addressing France's colonial past in Africa, which has also included similar reports on Rwanda and Algeria.

This move aligns with France's strategy to enhance relations with its former African colonies and maintain its influence in the region, especially in the Sahel, from which French military forces withdrew in 2022.

The timing of Macron's letter reflects the increasing challenges to France's influence in its former African colonies, particularly amid rising tensions regarding its military and political presence in the Sahel.

The conflict in Cameroon, which escalated post-World War II as the nation sought independence, has been largely overlooked in France, overshadowed by the more publicized Algerian War of Independence.

The report highlights specific violent events, including the Ekité massacre in 1956 and the deaths of several independence leaders in military operations conducted under French command.

To facilitate further research, Macron proposed opening access to French archives and establishing a bilateral working group to monitor ongoing research and education related to this historical context.

Macron emphasized that the report and ongoing research aim to strengthen Franco-Cameroonian relations and foster a collaborative future.

Currently, Paul Biya, the 92-year-old president of Cameroon, is seeking an eighth term in the upcoming presidential election scheduled for October 12, 2025, despite the constitutional council's rejection of his main opponent's candidacy.

Cameroon, originally a German colony, was divided between Britain and France after World War I, with the French-administered area gaining independence in 1960.

Despite these acknowledgments, Macron noted that the investigation into the assassination of opposition leader Félix-Roland Moumié in 1960 remains inconclusive due to insufficient evidence in French archives.