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

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  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

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5 events shown

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. Country renamed Republic of Cameroon

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

    Unitary statePoliticsConstitution

  4. 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

  5. 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.