A New Dawn for Franco-Cameroonian Relations? Admission Opens Door to Healing

France’s landmark admission of its violent colonial past in Cameroon could mark a new dawn for relations between the two countries, opening a door to a future based on truth and healing. President Emmanuel Macron’s acknowledgment of responsibility has the potential to reset a relationship long-strained by historical grievances.
By accepting the findings of a joint commission that a “war took place” from 1945 to 1971, Macron has dismantled a major barrier of denial. This act of truth-telling can provide a cleaner foundation for diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties, moving beyond the “polished fiction” of the past.
The potential for a new dawn depends heavily on what happens next. Acknowledgment alone is not enough. For the relationship to be truly reset, France must engage with Cameroonian calls for further steps, such as supporting the search for mass graves, aiding in memorialization, and having a serious conversation about reparations.
If France follows its words with meaningful action, it could transform its image from that of an unrepentant former colonizer to a genuine partner. If not, this moment could become another source of resentment, seen as a missed opportunity for true reconciliation.