1 October 1961 – The Renunification of Cameroon

1 October 1961 is one of the most important dates in modern Cameroon history. 1 October 1961 is know as the reunification day in Cameroon.

■ 1 October 1961 – The Renunification of Cameroon 🇨🇲 Before independence Cameroon was divided between French and British administration after Germany lost its colony of Kamerun following World War I .

● 1 January 1960: French-administered Cameroon became independence as the Republic of Cameroon, led by president Ahmadu Ahidjo .

● 11 February 1961 : A UN-organized plebiscite was held in British Cameroons . Northern Cameroons voted to join Nigeria, while Southern Cameroon voted to join Republic of Cameroon .

● 1 October 1961 : Southern Cameroons formally join the Republic of Cameroon, creating the Federal Republic of Cameroon . Ahmadu Ahidjo became the Federal President, while John Ngu Foncha became Vice President and Prime Minister for West Cameroon. The country therefore had Two Federated States :

▪︎ West Cameroon – formerly British southern Cameroon.
▪︎ East Cameroon – formerly French-administered Cameroon , With their own institutions under the federal system.

Question

1) why was the federal system eventually abolished in 1971 ??

2) How different might Cameroon be today if the Federal system had continued ?

3) What lessons can Cameroon learn from the events of 1961 ?