Emmanuel Macron admits French colonial 'repression' in Cameroon independence struggle
However, Macron fell short of offering a clear apology for the atrocities committed by French troops in its former colony, which gained independence in 1960.The French leader cited four independence icons who were killed during military operations led by French forces, including Ruben Um Nyobe, the firebrand leader of the anti-colonialist UPC party.France admits colonial 'massacre', says Senegal's leaderThe decision to investigate and publish findings on France's role in Cameroon's independence struggle was made in 2022, during Macron's visit to Yaoundé.It followed pressure from within the country for France to acknowledge its atrocities in its former colony and pay reparations.Macron also expressed willingness to work with Cameroon to promote further research on the matter, while highlighting the need for both countries to make the findings available to universities and scientific bodies.The BBC has reached out to Cameroon's government for comment on the French president's admission.While Macron did not address calls for reparations, it is likely to be a key talking-point in Cameroon going forward.Under Macron, France has attempted to confront its brutal colonial past.Last year, it acknowledged for the first time that its soldiers had carried out a "massacre" in Senegal in which West African troops were killed in 1944.Macron has previously acknowledged France's role in the Rwandan genocide, in which about 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus died, and sought forgiveness. In 2021, he said France had not heeded warnings of impending carnage and had for too long "valued silence over examination of the truth".
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Is the world's oldest leader set for an eighth term?Macron asks Rwanda to forgive France over 1994 genocide role'Nowhere is safe' - Cameroonians trapped between separatists and soldiers
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