Introduction
If African youth in general, and Cameroonian youth in particular, are guilty of one thing, it is their lack of interest in historical events that predate them. The colonial era, which forms the very foundation of present-day Cameroon, remains largely unknown to many. Some believe the past should be buried. However, by embracing the thought of Mazouz Hacene, we firmly believe that the past must remain alive in our minds, because to forget it is to risk repeating the same mistakes.
Historical Background: Colonial Cameroon
Post–World War II agreements placed Anglophone and Francophone Cameroon under British and French trusteeship, respectively. Following popular demands, Francophone Cameroon gained independence on January 1, 1960. Nearly two years later, on October 1, 1961, reunification was enacted through the formation of a federal state, marking the union between Anglophone and Francophone Cameroon under the leadership of President Ahmadou Ahidjo. Symbol: Its flag, bearing two stars at its center.
The Referendum of May 20, 1972
The Federal State of Cameroon, born from the reunification of Francophone and Anglophone regions, lasted from October 1961 to May 1972. It was during this time that President Ahmadou Ahidjo proposed a referendum aimed at ending the federal system and establishing a unitary state known as the Republic. Out of 3,236,280 registered voters, 3,179,634 participated, with 99.99% voting in favour of creating the Republic of Cameroon. The central question asked was: “Do you approve, with the aim of consolidating national unity and accelerating the economic, social, and cultural development of the nation, the constitutional draft submitted to the Cameroonian people by the President of the Federal Republic of Cameroon, establishing a republic, one and indivisible, under the name of the United Republic of Cameroon?”
After the Referendum
With near unanimity, Cameroon officially became a united republic on June 2, 1972, through decree No. 72-270 promulgated by President Ahmadou Ahidjo. The Cameroonian flag was modified to its current version with a single star in the center. Those who voted against the new constitution later joined the Nigerian state.
Conclusion
We all share a duty of memory toward the Cameroon of the past, the same one that laid the foundation for the country we know today. This duty is not intended to dwell on the painful memories of that era, but rather to remind us that the national unity celebrated on May 20, 1972, in memory of this referendum, is the fruit of our forefathers’ vision who saw in unity the only true guarantor of a nation’s prosperity.
Social Media: http://www.facebook.com/ariane ngouana.73
