While originating in Paris, France’s acknowledgment of its colonial war has profound implications for Cameroon’s own unresolved past, particularly the transition of power from Ahmadou Ahidjo to Paul Biya. The admission inadvertently shines a light on the authoritarian foundations of the modern Cameroonian state.
The French letter confirms that the Ahidjo regime, which came to power in 1960, was a direct beneficiary of French military support that crushed its political rivals. This means the state’s very legitimacy is rooted in a violent, anti-democratic, and foreign-backed process.
Paul Biya, as Ahidjo’s successor since 1982, inherited this system. His long rule is a continuation of the political order established in the crucible of this post-colonial war. The French admission, therefore, makes it harder for the Cameroonian government to ignore the violent origins of its own power.
This presents a challenge and an opportunity for Cameroon. It could spark a national dialogue about the legacy of the Ahidjo years and the need for democratic reforms. The acknowledgment of France’s sin could force Cameroon to confront its own, moving toward a fuller reckoning with all aspects of its difficult history.