Encyclopedia/3. History, Societies & Civilizations/09. Modern Nations/01. Africa • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
History of Cameroon (AI-generated, sourced to Wikipedia).
Chronological Storyline (29 Milestones)
500 CE
Sao civilization flourishes
The Sao civilization emerges around Lake Chad in northern Cameroon, known for its bronze and terracotta artifacts and walled city-states. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Terracotta Sao statuette By XXGfHXx - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67659103
1394 CE
Bamum kingdom founded
The Bamum kingdom is established in the western highlands of Cameroon, becoming a major cultural and political center under successive mfon (kings). Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Bamun Kingdom By Hafenreffer Museum of Brown University - http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/Haffenreffer/cameroon1.html, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3946086
Jan 1, 1472 CE
Portuguese explorers arrive
Portuguese sailors led by Fernão do Pó reach the Wouri River estuary, naming it Rio dos Camarões (River of Prawns), giving Cameroon its name. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
1804 CE
Fulani jihad reaches north
Modibo Adama's Fulani jihad expands into northern Cameroon, establishing the Adamawa Emirate and spreading Islam throughout the region. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Adamawa State Flag By 7bdIa9 - Vector version of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Adamawa_State_Flag.jpg., CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=124661549
Jul 12, 1884 CE
German protectorate established
Germany signs a treaty with King Bell of Douala, establishing the Kamerun protectorate and beginning three decades of German colonial rule. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Inoffizielle Variante der Kaiserreichsflagge mit Hoheitszeichen, Deutsches Reich, 1871–1918 By Original: Imperial Colonial Office of the German Empire Vector: David Liuzzo - Own work, based on various photographs of physical flags such as the one depicted in File:Reichskolonialflagge WWI Imperial German colonial flag 1884–1918 Photo JC PLE 2022. Warriors Gate M.O.T.H. Museum of Militaria, Durban, South Africa.jpg – (Flickr source), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4481199
1896 CE
Bamum script invented
King Ibrahim Njoya of Bamum invents a unique writing system called Shümom, one of the few indigenous African scripts, to record his language and history. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Bamum script invented By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1097573
Nov 4, 1911 CE
Germany expands Kamerun
Under the Morocco-Congo Treaty following the Agadir Crisis, Germany gains territory from France in eastern Kamerun, expanding the colony significantly. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Border changes in Cameroon/Cameroun/Cameroons/Kamerun German from 1884, occupied by allies by 1916, French Cameroun 1919-1960, independent Republic of Cameroun 1 Jan 1960-1 Oct 1961, when united with Southern Cameroons as the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Now part of the nation of Cameroon. German from 1884, occupied by allies by 1916, British Southern Cameroons 1919-1 Oct 1961, when united with the Republic of Cameroon as the Federal Republic of Cameroon. Now part of the nation of Cameroon. German from 1884, occupied by allies by 1916, British Northern Cameroons 1919-1 Jun 1961, when united with Nigeria. Now part of Nigeria. German from 1884, ceded to French Equatorial Africa on 4 Nov 1911, remained in Fr. Eq. Africa and after 1960 part of the nation of Chad. Part of French colonies of Oubangui-Chari, Middle Congo, Chad and Gabon, briefly part of French Equatorial Africa from 15 Jan 1910, ceded to Kamerun on 4 Nov 1911, becoming Neukamerun. occupied by allies by 1916, returned to French Equatorial Africa. Now part of the nations of Chad, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Gabon. By self - self made from PD CIA map on Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2438425
Mar 1, 1916 CE
Anglo-French partition
British and French forces occupy German Kamerun during World War I and agree to partition the territory, creating separate zones of administration. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Royal Navy QF 12 pounder 8 cwt gun in action at Fort Dachang, Cameroons, 1915. West Africa Campaign. Note drag shoes fitted under wheels to limit recoil. By British Government - Imperial War Museum photograph collection., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3186646
Jul 20, 1922 CE
League of Nations mandates
The League of Nations formally grants France and Britain mandates over former German Kamerun, legitimating the colonial partition. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Flag of France By Original: Unknown Vector: SKopp - This SVG flag includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this flag:, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60739584
Dec 13, 1946 CE
UN trusteeship established
The United Nations converts the French and British mandates over Cameroon into trust territories, requiring progress toward self-governance. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The Flag of the British Cameroons By Hogweard - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60661961
Apr 10, 1948 CE
UPC political party founded
Ruben Um Nyobé founds the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC), demanding immediate independence and reunification of the two Cameroons. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Flag of the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon By NorthTension - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147173638
May 1, 1955 CE
UPC uprising suppressed
French authorities violently suppress UPC demonstrations, killing dozens in Douala and Yaoundé, triggering a guerrilla war that lasts nearly a decade. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Sep 13, 1958 CE
Um Nyobé assassinated
UPC leader Ruben Um Nyobé is killed by French colonial forces near Boumnyebel, dealing a major blow to the radical independence movement. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Cameroonian hero and freedom fighter, Mr. Ruben Um Nyobe, one of the founder of the UPC (union of the peoples of Cameroon). By Official Cameroonian photograph - Google image, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=160680187
Jan 1, 1960 CE
French Cameroun gains independence
The Republic of Cameroun becomes independent under President Ahmadou Ahidjo, ending six decades of French and German colonial rule. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Oct 1, 1961 CE
Reunification of Cameroons
British Southern Cameroons votes to join the Republic of Cameroun, forming the Federal Republic of Cameroon with two constituent states. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The Flag of the British Cameroons By Hogweard - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60661961
Sep 1, 1966 CE
One-party state established
All political parties merge into the Cameroon National Union (CNU), creating a single-party state under President Ahidjo's firm control. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
May 20, 1972 CE
Unitary state constitution
A national referendum abolishes the federal system, creating the United Republic of Cameroon as a unitary state and centralizing power in Yaoundé. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Nov 6, 1982 CE
Paul Biya becomes president
President Ahidjo resigns unexpectedly and is succeeded by Prime Minister Paul Biya, who begins a presidency that continues for decades. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden pose for photo line photos with delegation heads of the U.S.-Africa Leader Summit, Wednesday, December 14, 2022, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Adam Schultz) By United States Department of State Africa U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit: Photos and Videos - https://www.state.gov/africasummit/photos/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=150256245
Apr 6, 1984 CE
Failed coup attempt
Loyalist forces led by President Biya suppress a coup by the Republican Guard, allegedly orchestrated by former president Ahidjo, who goes into exile. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Aug 21, 1986 CE
Lake Nyos disaster
A massive release of carbon dioxide from Lake Nyos in northwest Cameroon kills over 1,700 people and thousands of livestock in one of history's deadliest limnic eruptions. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Lake Nyos is the most renowned of the numerous maars and basaltic cinder cones associated with the deeply dissected Mount Oku massif. By Jack Lockwood, USGS - http://www.volcano.si.edu/world/volcano.cfm?vnum=0204-03-&volpage=photos&photo=002064, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2766399
Jun 1, 1990 CE
Cameroon shines at World Cup
The Indomitable Lions become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals in Italy, with 38-year-old Roger Milla scoring four goals. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Dec 1, 1990 CE
Multiparty system legalized
Under domestic and international pressure, President Biya signs legislation ending the one-party state and allowing opposition parties to register. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Oct 11, 1992 CE
First multiparty election
Cameroon holds its first multiparty presidential election; Paul Biya is declared winner amid opposition claims of fraud from John Fru Ndi's Social Democratic Front. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
1992 Cameroonian presidential election map By Wowzers122 - Election results from the African Elections Database Base map from the Humanitarian Data Exchange, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143613077
Sep 30, 2000 CE
Olympic football gold
Cameroon's men's football team wins gold at the Sydney Olympics, defeating Spain on penalties and cementing the nation's footballing reputation. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Jul 1, 2003 CE
Chad-Cameroon pipeline opens
The Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project begins operations, exporting oil from Chad through a 1,070 km pipeline to Cameroon's coast. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Apr 1, 2008 CE
Term limits removed
Parliament amends the constitution to remove presidential term limits, allowing Paul Biya to extend his rule and sparking protests across major cities. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
Oct 1, 2016 CE
Anglophone protests begin
Lawyers and teachers in Northwest and Southwest regions launch protests against perceived marginalization by the Francophone-dominated government. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Map of Ambazonia conflict By User:Borysk5 - Own work, incidents are based on ACLED database from 1 September 2022 until 30 September 2023. For yellow I chose the interaction category 10: "Military vs rebels", for blue categories 20-28 (rebels vs), for red I chose categories 10-11, 15-17 (military without rebels), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=139765460
Oct 1, 2017 CE
Ambazonia declared
Separatist leaders in the Anglophone regions unilaterally declare independence as the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, escalating into armed conflict. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
Flag of Ambazonia, also known as the Southern Cameroons By Washiucho - Own work, based on Image:Flag of Southern Cameroons.PNG, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5380554
Jun 1, 2019 CE
Cameroon hosts AFCON
Cameroon hosts the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1984, with Algeria defeating Senegal in the final at the new Olembe Stadium in Yaoundé. Source — Wikipedia, "Cameroon":
The flag of Cameroon. By (of code) -xfi- - Drawn by User:SKopp, based on this source: Flags of the World., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=343005
