Encyclopedia
History
Events in the history of Cameroon.
1–12 of 12
- British Cameroons plebiscitesIn UN-supervised plebiscites held in February 1961, Southern Cameroons voted to join the Republic of Cameroon, while Northern Cameroons voted to join Nigeria.
- Constitution of 18 January 1996The 1996 constitutional law, which amended the 1972 Constitution, provided for a Senate, a Constitutional Council and decentralised regions.
- Constitutional amendment recreating the vice-presidencyParliament, meeting in congress, adopted on 4 April 2026 an amendment creating the office of Vice President, appointed by the President and successor in case of vacancy. Analysts report it was promulgated as Law No. 2026/001 of 14 April 2026.
- Country renamed Republic of CameroonIn 1984 the United Republic of Cameroon was renamed the Republic of Cameroon.
- First World War Kamerun campaignBritish, French and Belgian forces fought German forces in Kamerun from 1914; German resistance ended in 1916 and the territory was partitioned between Britain and France.
- Founding of the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC)The UPC, a nationalist party that campaigned for independence and reunification, was founded in 1948. It was banned by the French authorities in 1955, after which it waged an armed struggle.
- German protectorate proclaimed over KamerunFollowing treaties with Duala rulers, Germany proclaimed a protectorate over the Cameroon coast in July 1884, the start of the colony of Kamerun.
- Independence of French CamerounThe French-administered trust territory became independent on 1 January 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon (République du Cameroun), led by Ahmadou Ahidjo.
- League of Nations mandates for British and French CameroonsThe League of Nations confirmed the partition as two mandates: a larger French-administered territory and a smaller British-administered one along the Nigerian border. After 1946 both became United Nations trust territories.
- Paul Biya succeeds Ahmadou Ahidjo as PresidentAfter Ahmadou Ahidjo resigned, Prime Minister Paul Biya became President of the Republic on 6 November 1982, as provided by the Constitution.
- Referendum establishing the United Republic of CameroonA referendum on 20 May 1972 replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. 20 May is celebrated as National Day.
- Reunification and the Federal Republic of CameroonOn 1 October 1961 Southern Cameroons joined the Republic of Cameroon to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon, with two federated states: East Cameroon and West Cameroon.
