Evidence of early human habitation in Cameroon dates back to around 50,000 years ago. Archeological findings suggest that various ethnic groups settled in the region long before the advent of European colonialism.
The people of Cameroon were organized into diverse communities, with over 250 ethnic groups speaking more than 200 languages.
Notable early kingdoms include:
The Sao Civilization (circa 500 BCE to 1600 CE) in the northern part of Cameroon, particularly around Lake Chad.
The Kingdom of Bantu-speaking people (around 1000 BCE) which established strong societal structures along the coast.
The Kingdom of Bamum (1400s CE) in the western highlands, known for its art, governance, and written script, the Bamum script.
The Kingdom of Duala and the Wouri Kingdom along the coastal areas, where trade networks and cultural interactions thrived.
Trade and Influence
Cameroon’s coastal areas, especially the port city of Douala, were central to trade between African kingdoms and Arab merchants.
Through the trans-Saharan trade routes, goods like salt, ivory, and gold flowed into and out of the region, influencing local economies and cultures.
Portuguese and other European traders arrived along the coast in the late 15th century, initiating a new phase of external influence.
Colonial Era
Portuguese Arrival and the Slave Trade
1472: Portuguese sailors, under the command of Fernão do Pó, reached the Cameroon coast. The name “Cameroon” originates from the Portuguese word for shrimp, “camarão,” which was abundant in the Wouri River.
The Portuguese began engaging in the slave trade, using Cameroon as a key stop on the Middle Passage.
16th-18th Century: European involvement in the slave trade continued, with the Portuguese, French, and later the British establishing trading posts along the coast.
German Colonization (1884-1916)
1884: The German Empire formally established a protectorate over Cameroon, naming it Kamerun.
The Germans introduced a centralized administration, building infrastructure like roads, railways, and schools, though these developments mainly benefited German settlers and economic interests.
German colonial rule was characterized by harsh treatment of the indigenous population, including forced labor and violent repression of uprisings, notably the Kamerun War (1904–1907), in which the local population resisted German rule.
Germany introduced large plantations for crops like rubber, cocoa, and palm oil, exploiting the natural resources for their own profit.
British and French Mandates (1916-1960)
1916: During World War I, Allied forces, primarily from Britain and France, defeated the German forces in Cameroon. Following Germany’s defeat, the territory was divided between Britain and France under the League of Nations mandate.
The French Mandate included the larger, central, and eastern regions, while the British Mandate was divided into the Western and Northern Cameroons.
Under the French, the region became highly centralized, with the French promoting agricultural and resource exploitation, while the British generally maintained a system of indirect rule through local chiefs.
1930s-1940s: Economic and political developments led to growing tensions between the colonial powers and the indigenous population. Nationalist movements began to take shape.
Path to Independence
Early Nationalist Movements
In the 1940s, as nationalist movements across Africa gained momentum, Cameroonian leaders began to demand greater autonomy.
Prominent figures in the push for independence included:
Ruben Um Nyobé, a leader of the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC), which was a communist-oriented nationalist group seeking complete independence from colonial rule.
Ahmadou Ahidjo, who was associated with the Cameroon Democratic Union (UDC), a party that sought autonomy within the French system rather than total independence.
The Rise of the UPC and Struggles for Independence
The UPC led an armed struggle against the French, especially in the 1950s, but faced severe repression. Thousands of UPC members were killed, and their activities were heavily suppressed by French colonial forces.
1955: The French granted Cameroon limited self-government, and elections were held to elect members to the legislative council.
By 1958, the French began discussions about independence, but tensions continued to mount, especially with the strong opposition from the UPC.
The Path to Independence
1960: Following growing unrest and pressure from nationalist movements, French Cameroon officially gained independence on May 20, 1960.
Ahmadou Ahidjo, the leader of the Cameroon National Union (UNC), became the country’s first president, and he oversaw the consolidation of power in the hands of the state, which included suppressing opposition parties like the UPC.
Post-Independence Era
The Federal Republic of Cameroon (1960-1972)
After independence, Cameroon became a federal republic, comprising two regions: the French-speaking East Cameroon and the English-speaking West Cameroon (former British Cameroon).
Ahmadou Ahidjo was re-elected president in 1961, and tensions between the two linguistic communities began to simmer, as the Anglophone region felt politically marginalized by the Francophone-dominated central government.
In 1965, Ahidjo’s government began to move towards a one-party state, which came to fruition with the formation of the Cameroon National Union (UNC).
The federal system was initially designed to balance power between the French-speaking and English-speaking parts, but over time, the government’s policies favored Francophone regions, leading to dissatisfaction in Anglophone Cameroon.
The United Republic of Cameroon (1972-1984)
In 1972, Cameroon was restructured into a unitary republic through a referendum that dissolved the federal system and replaced it with a unitary state. The country was renamed the United Republic of Cameroon.
In 1982, Ahidjo, citing health reasons, handed over power to his deputy, Paul Biya, who had served as prime minister since 1975. However, many believed that Ahidjo was forced to step down due to internal pressures and his own declining health.
Paul Biya’s Era (1984-Present)
1984: Biya changed the name of the country to Republic of Cameroon, marking a new phase in the country’s post-independence development.
Political Repression: Under Biya’s long tenure, Cameroon experienced increasing political repression, with dissenting voices, especially from the Anglophone region, facing violent suppression.
Economic Challenges: Despite the country’s rich resources, corruption, economic mismanagement, and the collapse of oil prices in the 1980s led to significant economic crises. This resulted in mass poverty and unemployment, while Biya and his party remained entrenched in power.
The Anglophone Crisis (2016-Present)
2016: Protests erupted in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon over marginalization in government institutions, the judiciary, and education. Calls for greater autonomy turned into demands for secession, leading to the Anglophone Crisis.
The situation escalated when the government responded with military force, leading to widespread displacement, deaths, and a humanitarian crisis. The Anglophone separatists, led by the Ambazonia Defense Forces, have since waged a violent insurgency against the government.
The conflict has led to severe human rights violations on both sides, with international bodies like the United Nations and human rights organizations calling for negotiations.
Recent Political Developments
2000s-Present: Biya’s Continuing Rule
In 2008, Biya amended the constitution to abolish presidential term limits, allowing him to remain in power indefinitely.
2011: Biya won a controversial re-election in which opposition candidates claimed electoral fraud and voter suppression. Despite widespread protests, Biya maintained his grip on power.
In 2018, Biya won another election, amid widespread allegations of vote-rigging and the ongoing violence in the Anglophone regions. The political opposition, including the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), led by Maurice Kamto, has been vocal in challenging Biya’s rule.
Economic Development and Challenges
Cameroon is heavily dependent on oil and agricultural exports, but the country faces significant challenges, including a growing youth population, unemployment, and corruption.
The CFA franc currency and its link to France has been a point of economic tension, with critics arguing it limits Cameroon’s economic sovereignty.
Foreign Relations
Cameroon has maintained strong relations with France and has been a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), the African Union (AU), and the United Nations.
Despite this, the ongoing Anglophone crisis has led to tensions with international allies, who have called for peaceful negotiations and the protection of human rights.