Reunification of Cameroon

The reunification of Cameroon took many years to achieve.

Early history

Flag of Cameroon till present day

1961–1975

Reunification Monument in Yaoundé

After the Germans were defeated in World War I in Cameroon, its territory was partitioned between France and Britain. On 28 June 1919, Germany signed the Versailles Treaty, relinquishing all of her colonies including Cameroon to Britain and France. After World War II, Article 76(b) of the United Nations Charter called on Britain and France to develop their territories towards independence and self-government.

On 1 January 1960, East Cameroon gained independence. On 21 February 1960, the new nation held a constitutional referendum. On 5 May 1960, Ahmadou Ahidjo became president. On 11 February 1961, a plebiscite organised by the United Nations was held in Cameroon. The pleibiscite was to choose between free association with an independent state or integration. On 12 February 1961, the British Northern Cameroons attached itself to Nigeria, while the southern part voted for reunification as the Federal Republic Of Cameroon. To negotiate the terms of this union, the Foumban Conference was held on 16–21 July 1961. Foncha, the leader of the KNDP, accepted the federation while thinking of a confederation. Buea was to become the capital. Ahidjo accepted the federation, thinking it was a step towards a unitary state. On 14 August 1961, the federal constitution was adopted, with Ahidjo as president. John Ngu Foncha became the prime minister. British Southern Cameroon became independent on 1 October 1961, attaching itself to the Republic of Cameroon.

Federal Republic

In 1962, the Francs CFA became the official currency in Cameroon. On 1 September 1961 the Cameroon National Union(CNU) was created by the union of political parties of East and West Cameroon. On 28 March 1970 Ahidjo renews his mandate as the supreme magistracy. Solomon Tandeng Muna became Vice President. On 20 May 1962 the reunification of Eastern and Western Cameroon came via a referendum. Cameroon became The United Republic of Cameroon in 1972. The history was symbolised by two stars on the flag. Most decisions about West Cameroon were taken without consultation, "which led to widespread feelings amongst the (West Cameroon) Public that although they voted for reunification, what they are getting is absorption or domination".^[1] On 30 June 1975 Paul Biya was appointed vice president. In 1982 he became president. In 1984 The United Republic of Cameroon was renamed The Republic Of Cameroon with one star in the flag. The missing part of the puzzle is this"

References

1. The Untold Story of Reunification: (1955-1961)