A War by Any Other Name: France Finally Calls its Cameroon Campaign a “War”

For decades, it was a “pacification campaign” or a series of “troubled episodes.” Now, France is finally calling its violent campaign in Cameroon what it was: a war. This official change in terminology by President Emmanuel Macron represents a profound shift in historical recognition.
In a letter to President Paul Biya, Macron accepted the findings of a joint commission which “clearly established that a war took place in Cameroon.” This war, from 1945 to 1971, involved brutal repression by French colonial forces and their allies and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
The refusal to use the word “war” was a political tool used to downplay the scale and intensity of the violence, both in Cameroon and in other colonial contexts like Algeria. By finally adopting the correct term, the French state is validating the experiences of the victims and accepting a greater degree of responsibility.
While this terminological shift is crucial, it is not enough on its own. The lack of an apology or reparations remains a sticking point. However, giving the conflict its proper name provides a more solid foundation for future demands for justice.