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12 Pivotal Moments For Cameroon, Pre-And-Post Independence

12 Pivotal Moments For Cameroon, Pre-And-Post Independence

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The West African country of Cameroon gained independence from France on Jan 1, 1960, and today is probably best known for its football team. Here are 12 pivotal moments for Cameroon, pre-and-post independence.

Sources: BBC News, Info Please, Princeton University 

frontpagemag.com
frontpagemag.com

1. 1520

Europeans first arrived in Cameroon in 1520, and began a reign of tyranny. First the Portuguese set up sugar plantations and a slave trade, which they maintained until the 1600s. Then they turned the country over to the Dutch.

www.germanhistorydocs.ghi.dc.org
www.germanhistorydocs.ghi.dc.org

2.1884

Germany joined the colonial shuffle in 1884, when Cameroon became the German colony of Kamerun.

www.northafricaculture.com
www.northafricaculture.com

3. 1916

After World War II the Germans didn’t want to give up control of Cameroon, but France and Britain forced them too. By 1919 the country was split into two — 80 percent French and 20 percent British.

seat61.com
seat61.com

4. 1960

Because the country was split by colonization, Cameroon gained independence in pieces. French independence came on Jan 1, 1960 with Ahmadou Ahidjo as president of the Republic of Cameroon.

The flag of Cameroon ThinkStockPhotos
The flag of Cameroon
ThinkStockPhotos

5. 1961

In 1961 the British section of Cameroon gained independence, but part of that country decided to join Nigeria, while the rest joined the Republic of Cameroon.

President Paul Biya Photo: Cameroon Tribune
President Paul Biya Photo: Cameroon Tribune

6. 1982

President Ahidjo resigned after 22 years and was succeeded by Prime Minister Paul Biya.

www.tripadvisor.com
www.tripadvisor.com

7. 1998

Transparency International named Cameroon the world’s most corrupt country in 1998. The organization monitors and publicizes corporate and political corruption in international development.

Plan.org.au
Plan.org.au

8. 2006

Following years of unrest in the region along the Nigerian border, Nigeria finally withdrew troops from the Bakassi peninsula ending a long border dispute after a U.N. mandated summit.

catholiclane.com
catholiclane.com

9. September 2012

Here’s a tabloid moment: Cameroonian Minister Marafa Hamidou Yaya was charged with stealing $29 million meant to be used as a down payment for a presidential plane. He was captured and jailed.

www.en.wikimedia.org
www.en.wikimedia.org

10. November 2012

Cameroon’s president Paul Biya celebrated his 30th year in power. Protesters hit the streets.

www.almanar.com.lb
www.almanar.com.lb

11. 2013

Boko Haram made its first appearance in Cameroon in February 2013 when a French family of seven was kidnapped near the Nigerian border and held for two months by the Islamic militant group. They were eventually freed. France denied paying a ransom.

www.africa-express.info
www.africa-express.info

12. January 2015

Chad pledged military support to help Cameroon fight Boko Haram. This came after the terrorist organization kidnapped more people in 2014, including the wife of the deputy prime minister and 27 other hostages in October 2014 alone.