A New Guard of Historians Forces France to Face Its “Polished Fiction” on Cameroon

The official French narrative of its colonial past, long criticized as “polished fiction,” is crumbling under the pressure of a new guard of historians and activists. France’s recent acknowledgment of its violent role in Cameroon is a direct result of their relentless work to uncover a buried history.
For decades, the story of France’s war against Cameroonian independence movements was largely ignored in Paris. However, scholars and activists, many from former colonies, have systematically challenged the state-sanctioned silence, bringing to light the brutal realities of the conflict from 1945-1971 that killed tens of thousands.
President Emmanuel Macron’s letter to President Paul Biya, assuming responsibility for France’s role, is a testament to the success of this new historical movement. The letter was based on the findings of a joint commission, a body that likely would not have existed without the preceding decades of academic and activist pressure.
While this admission is a victory for historical truth, it is viewed as an incomplete one. The lack of an apology or reparations shows that the battle is not over. The focus of this new guard will now likely shift to demanding more than just words, pushing for tangible actions that lead to justice and repair.