History

History of Cameroon

A timeline of dated events and longer articles, each linked to its sources. Dates show only the precision the sources support.

The arcaded brick facade of the Sultan's palace at Foumban, framed by palm trees under a blue sky.
The Sultan's palace, Foumban, West (photographed 1991)Photo: Albert Backer / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Precolonial kingdoms, chiefdoms and community histories are on our research backlog. They are not covered yet, and their absence here does not mean they matter less.

Periods

Choose a period to filter the timeline.

  1. Awaiting research

    Precolonial

    Kingdoms, chiefdoms and trade networks before European rule. On our research backlog.

  2. 2 events

    German Kamerun

    The German protectorate and colony, and the First World War campaign.

  3. 1 event

    Mandates and trusteeship

    British and French Cameroons under the League of Nations and the United Nations.

  4. 3 events

    Independence

    Nationalist politics, independence and the 1961 plebiscites.

  5. 1 event

    Federal Republic

    The federation of East and West Cameroon.

  6. 3 events

    Unitary state

    The United Republic and the Republic of Cameroon.

  7. 2 events

    Contemporary

    Constitutional change and recent political developments.

Timeline

12 events shown

  1. German protectorate proclaimed over Kamerun

    Following treaties with Duala rulers, Germany proclaimed a protectorate over the Cameroon coast in July 1884, the start of the colony of Kamerun.

    Date note: Treaty and proclamation fell on different days in July 1884; recorded at month precision.

    German KamerunColonial rulePolitics

  2. First World War Kamerun campaign

    British, 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.

    German KamerunColonial ruleConflict

  3. League of Nations mandates for British and French Cameroons

    The 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.

    Mandates and trusteeshipColonial rulePolitics

  4. 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.

    IndependencePoliticsIndependence

  5. Independence of French Cameroun

    The French-administered trust territory became independent on 1 January 1960 as the Republic of Cameroon (République du Cameroun), led by Ahmadou Ahidjo.

    IndependencePoliticsIndependence

  6. British Cameroons plebiscites

    In UN-supervised plebiscites held in February 1961, Southern Cameroons voted to join the Republic of Cameroon, while Northern Cameroons voted to join Nigeria.

    Date note: The Southern Cameroons vote took place on 11 February 1961; the northern vote on the same weekend.

    IndependencePoliticsReunification

  7. Reunification and the Federal Republic of Cameroon

    On 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.

    Federal RepublicPoliticsReunificationConstitution

  8. Referendum establishing the United Republic of Cameroon

    A referendum on 20 May 1972 replaced the federation with a unitary state, the United Republic of Cameroon. 20 May is celebrated as National Day.

    Unitary statePoliticsConstitution

  9. Paul Biya succeeds Ahmadou Ahidjo as President

    After Ahmadou Ahidjo resigned, Prime Minister Paul Biya became President of the Republic on 6 November 1982, as provided by the Constitution.

    Unitary statePolitics

  10. Country renamed Republic of Cameroon

    In 1984 the United Republic of Cameroon was renamed the Republic of Cameroon.

    Unitary statePoliticsConstitution

  11. Constitution of 18 January 1996

    The 1996 constitutional law, which amended the 1972 Constitution, provided for a Senate, a Constitutional Council and decentralised regions.

    ContemporaryPoliticsConstitutionDecentralisation

  12. Constitutional amendment recreating the vice-presidency

    Parliament, 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.

    ContemporaryPoliticsConstitution

Articles

Longer reading, with numbered citations.