Latest news with #French-Cameroonian
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
French President Emmanuel Macron admits France's repressive violence in Cameroon's war for independence
French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that France waged a war marked by 'repressive violence' in Cameroon before and after the country's independence in 1960 in a letter made public on Tuesday (August 12, 2025.) It is France's first official acknowledgment of its repression of Cameroon's independence movement as a war. The letter sent last month to Cameroonian President Paul Biya, follows a report released in January by a French-Cameroonian commission of historians. The report revealed that France carried out mass forced displacements, detained hundreds of thousands of Cameroonians in internment camps, and backed brutal militias to suppress the country's fight for independence and sovereignty between 1945 and 1971. The commission was established by Mr. Macron during a 2022 visit to the capital Yaoundé. It examined France's role leading up to Cameroon's independence on January 1, 1960, and in the years that followed. 'At the end of their work, the historians of the Commission clearly highlighted that a war had taken place in Cameroon, during which the colonial authorities and the French Army carried out multiple forms of repressive violence in certain regions of the country — a war that continued beyond 1960 with France's support for actions carried out by the independent Cameroonian authorities,' the letter from Mr. Macron read. Mr. Macron also acknowledged France's role in the deaths of independence leaders Ruben Um Nyobè, Paul Momo, Isaac Nyobè Pandjock and Jérémie Ndéléné, who were killed between 1958 and 1960 in military operations under French command. Cameroon was a German colony until the end of World War I, when it was divided between Britain and France. The French-administered territory gained independence in 1960, and the southern British Cameroons joined in a federation the next year. The independence war began in the 1950s when the nationalist UPC launched an armed struggle for full sovereignty and reunification. Even after independence, the French-backed government continued to fight the UPC for years. The letter follows earlier moves by Mr. Macron to address France's colonial past, including his recognition of French responsibility in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the massacre of Senegalese riflemen after World War II. However, the French President has so far ruled out an official apology for torture and other abuses committed by French troops in Algeria. The letter comes at a time when France's presence in its former colonies in Africa has become increasingly contested, particularly in the Sahel region.
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Macron admits France's repressive violence in Cameroon's war for independence
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that France waged a war marked by 'repressive violence' in Cameroon before and after the country's independence in 1960 in a letter made public Tuesday. It is France's first official acknowledgment of its repression of Cameroon's independence movement as a war. The letter sent last month to Cameroonian President Paul Biya, follows a report released in January by a French-Cameroonian commission of historians. The report revealed that France carried out mass forced displacements, detained hundreds of thousands of Cameroonians in internment camps, and backed brutal militias to suppress the country's fight for independence and sovereignty between 1945 and 1971. The commission was established by Macron during a 2022 visit to the capital Yaounde. It examined France's role leading up to Cameroon's independence on Jan. 1, 1960, and in the years that followed. 'At the end of their work, the historians of the Commission clearly highlighted that a war had taken place in Cameroon, during which the colonial authorities and the French army carried out multiple forms of repressive violence in certain regions of the country — a war that continued beyond 1960 with France's support for actions carried out by the independent Cameroonian authorities,' the letter from Macron read. Macron also acknowledged France's role in the deaths of independence leaders Ruben Um Nyobe, Paul Momo, Isaac Nyobe Pandjock and Jeremie Ndelene, who were killed between 1958 and 1960 in military operations under French command. Cameroon was a German colony until the end of World War I, when it was divided between Britain and France. The French-administered territory gained independence in 1960, and the southern British Cameroons joined in a federation the next year. The independence war began in the 1950s when the nationalist UPC launched an armed struggle for full sovereignty and reunification. Even after independence, the French-backed government continued to fight the UPC for years, The letter follows earlier moves by Macron to address France's colonial past, including his recognition of French responsibility in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the massacre of Senegalese riflemen after World War II. However, the French president has so far ruled out an official apology for torture and other abuses committed by French troops in Algeria. The letter comes at a time when France's presence in its former colonies in Africa has become increasingly contested, particularly in the Sahel region.
San Francisco Chronicle
6 days ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Macron admits France's repressive violence in Cameroon's war for independence
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that France waged a war marked by 'repressive violence' in Cameroon before and after the country's independence in 1960 in a letter made public Tuesday. It is France's first official acknowledgment of its repression of Cameroon's independence movement as a war. The letter sent last month to Cameroonian President Paul Biya, follows a report released in January by a French-Cameroonian commission of historians. The report revealed that France carried out mass forced displacements, detained hundreds of thousands of Cameroonians in internment camps, and backed brutal militias to suppress the country's fight for independence and sovereignty between 1945 and 1971. The commission was established by Macron during a 2022 visit to the capital Yaoundé. It examined France's role leading up to Cameroon's independence on Jan. 1, 1960, and in the years that followed. 'At the end of their work, the historians of the Commission clearly highlighted that a war had taken place in Cameroon, during which the colonial authorities and the French army carried out multiple forms of repressive violence in certain regions of the country — a war that continued beyond 1960 with France's support for actions carried out by the independent Cameroonian authorities,' the letter from Macron read. Macron also acknowledged France's role in the deaths of independence leaders Ruben Um Nyobè, Paul Momo, Isaac Nyobè Pandjock and Jérémie Ndéléné, who were killed between 1958 and 1960 in military operations under French command. Cameroon was a German colony until the end of World War I, when it was divided between Britain and France. The French-administered territory gained independence in 1960, and the southern British Cameroons joined in a federation the next year. The independence war began in the 1950s when the nationalist UPC launched an armed struggle for full sovereignty and reunification. Even after independence, the French-backed government continued to fight the UPC for years, The letter follows earlier moves by Macron to address France's colonial past, including his recognition of French responsibility in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the massacre of Senegalese riflemen after World War II. However, the French president has so far ruled out an official apology for torture and other abuses committed by French troops in Algeria.
Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Macron admits France's repressive violence in Cameroon's war for independence
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged that France waged a war marked by 'repressive violence' in Cameroon before and after the country's independence in 1960 in a letter made public Tuesday. It is France's first official acknowledgment of its repression of Cameroon's independence movement as a war. The letter sent last month to Cameroonian President Paul Biya, follows a report released in January by a French-Cameroonian commission of historians. The report revealed that France carried out mass forced displacements, detained hundreds of thousands of Cameroonians in internment camps, and backed brutal militias to suppress the country's fight for independence and sovereignty between 1945 and 1971. The commission was established by Macron during a 2022 visit to the capital Yaoundé. It examined France's role leading up to Cameroon's independence on Jan. 1, 1960, and in the years that followed. 'At the end of their work, the historians of the Commission clearly highlighted that a war had taken place in Cameroon, during which the colonial authorities and the French army carried out multiple forms of repressive violence in certain regions of the country — a war that continued beyond 1960 with France's support for actions carried out by the independent Cameroonian authorities,' the letter from Macron read. Macron also acknowledged France's role in the deaths of independence leaders Ruben Um Nyobè, Paul Momo, Isaac Nyobè Pandjock and Jérémie Ndéléné, who were killed between 1958 and 1960 in military operations under French command. Cameroon was a German colony until the end of World War I, when it was divided between Britain and France. The French-administered territory gained independence in 1960, and the southern British Cameroons joined in a federation the next year. The independence war began in the 1950s when the nationalist UPC launched an armed struggle for full sovereignty and reunification. Even after independence, the French-backed government continued to fight the UPC for years, The letter follows earlier moves by Macron to address France's colonial past, including his recognition of French responsibility in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the massacre of Senegalese riflemen after World War II. However, the French president has so far ruled out an official apology for torture and other abuses committed by French troops in Algeria. The letter comes at a time when France's presence in its former colonies in Africa has become increasingly contested, particularly in the Sahel region. ___ Associated Press writer Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report.
Irish Daily Mirror
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
John Joe Patrick Finn's verdict on his Ireland debut and hopes for the World Cup
The big winners from Ireland's two-game summer window were the players who stayed at home because very few of them will find their positions under threat in the fringe players reporting for duty against Senegal and Luxembourg, only Kasey McAteer, Jack Taylor and Ryan Manning enhanced their claims for a World Cup O'Leary did well on his debut against Luxembourg - six years after his first call-up - but he's behind Caoimhin Kelleher, with Gavin Bazunu and Mark Travers still to return. St Mirren midfielder Killian Phillips put his best foot forward off the bench on his own debut against Senegal, but found it harder going against Luxembourg. And while John Joe Patrick Finn may be one of the more hyped Irish players in recent times, it's very much based on a curiosity factor rather than actual Omobamidele, Liam Scales and Josh Honohan will be disappointed not to have featured at all this month, although Honohan did have a scan on a thigh the dour stalemate on Tuesday, there's a noticeable confidence within the squad after four games unbeaten this year, ahead of September's clash with Hungary. But there is still cause for concern across aspects of this team, not least with a malfunctioning attack despite the potential on offer to Heimir Hallgrimsson. And midfield remains an issue, even though Hallgrimsson addressed it this month with a smattering of bigger, more imposing players added into the was no coincidence, according to Hallgrimsson, after handing debuts to both Finn and Phillips over the two games. Clearly, Finn is further down the pecking order as he was only introduced in the 88th minute against Luxembourg but it was good to finally have a look at the Reims and raised in the Spanish capital Madrid, his late father was from Mayo and his mother is French-Cameroonian with Finn eligible to play for all four countries. But the 21-year-old - who played at Real Madrid's academy as a kid - insists he only wanted to represent Luxembourg, softly-spoken Finn said: 'My dad is from Ireland, also my grandfather and when I was young every summer I went to Ballyhaunis. I had that connection when I was young, it really mattered. I am a Mayo man. It was nice, growing up it was so different from Madrid, where I lived. Those summers were really great, with my family, we had a great time, great days. I think my dad would be really proud.' Finn, who plays for French side Reims having been previously with Getafe in La Liga, continued: 'I feel good, but I'm a bit disappointed with the result. It was not the way I wanted to make my debut but I will just keep working and continue on this way. The manager just told me I had to get the tactics, how the team works and I think I'm catching the way the team plays.'We still have a bit of work to do but I'm happy. The experience was good, the group has a lot of quality, and if we can continue this way I think we can do good things.' Finn's hopes of a recall in September for the Hungary and Armenia qualifiers won't rest on his seven-minute run out at Stade de Luxembourg. Instead, that will hinge on how he handled himself behind the scenes over the week and how he performed on the training Monday's open training session, he was partnered with late call-up Bosun Lawal in midfield and Lawal was the more dominant of the two. The Stoke City man only played seven league games this season due to a back injury but is well liked by Ireland's management team, from his time with the Under-21s. If he is fit and firing by September, he will rival Finn and Phillips all the way for inclusion, with the likes of Josh Cullen and Finn Azaz nailed on to travelled out to France at the start of May to meet Finn and to sound him out on his international intentions, considering he could play for other nations. But Finn only had eyes for Ireland and wanted to seize this June opportunity, even though it came on the back of a difficult club were relegated from the French top flight and they also lost the French Cup final, smashed 3-0 by PSG with Finn coming on as a sub.'At the beginning it was not easy (moving from Spain to France), I was alone as my family stayed in Madrid. But in the end the club made things really easy so I adapted quickly and the culture is nice.'But it was a difficult moment to end the season like that, but to come here is a bit of a distraction from the club. I had some great days and now I can rest and come back.'The fear for Finn is that playing in French football's second tier next season will mean he is out of sight, out of mind. The flip side is he could play more he hopes that Hallgrimsson's flying visit last month counts for something and said: 'It's always good that the coach makes the effort to go and see you, to speak with me.'
