Historic photo of South African auto industry workers during the early 1900s, highlighting the industry’s long history.
French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly acknowledged the violent repression carried out by France during Cameroon’s independence struggle, following a joint report by French and Cameroonian historians. In a letter to President Paul Biya, Macron admitted French forces committed “repressive violence” between 1945 and 1971, including killings, internment camps, and support for brutal militias. Tens of thousands died, including key independence leaders like Ruben Um Nyobe. However, Macron stopped short of issuing an apology or addressing reparations, a move that has drawn mixed reactions in Cameroon. While some see the acknowledgment as progress, others demand stronger accountability. The admission follows similar French acknowledgments of abuse committed during colonial rule in Rwanda, Senegal, and Algeria, but without formal apologies.
BBC