Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon, is a Central African country bordered by Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. Situated on the Bight of Biafra, part of the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean, it bridges West and Central Africa. With a population nearing 27 million, Cameroon boasts a diverse linguistic landscape, with 250 native languages spoken alongside its official languages of English and French.
1913: Anglo-German Agreement Determines Sovereignty Over Bakassi Peninsula
The Anglo-German Agreement of 1913 established the basis for Cameroon's claim to sovereignty over the Bakassi peninsula.
1946: League of Nations Mandates Become UN Trusteeships
The League of Nations mandates were converted into United Nations Trusteeships in 1946, and the question of independence became a pressing issue in French Cameroon.
July 1955: France Outlaws Pro-Independence Party
France outlawed the pro-independence political party, the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC), on July 13, 1955. This prompted a long guerrilla war.
January 1960: Independence of French Cameroun
On January 1, 1960, French Cameroun gained independence from France under President Ahmadou Ahidjo.
1960: Independence of French Cameroun
On January 1, 1960, French Cameroun gained independence from France under President Ahmadou Ahidjo.
October 1961: Southern Cameroons Joins French Cameroun
On October 1, 1961, the formerly British Southern Cameroons gained independence from the United Kingdom and joined with French Cameroun to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon.
1961: Formation of the Federal Republic of Cameroon
On October 1, 1961, Southern Cameroons gained independence from the United Kingdom and joined with French Cameroun to form the Federal Republic of Cameroon.
September 1966: CNU Becomes Sole Legal Party
His political party, the Cameroon National Union (CNU), became the sole legal political party on September 1, 1966.
1971: Ahidjo Consolidates Power
Ahidjo used the ongoing war with the UPC to concentrate power in the presidency, continuing with this even after the suppression of the UPC in 1971.
1971: Suppression of the UPC
The national liberation insurgency fought between French and UPC militant forces ended in early 1971.
May 1972: Referendum for a United Republic
On May 20, 1972, a referendum was passed to abolish the federal system of government in favour of a United Republic of Cameroon, headed from Yaoundé.
1972: Abolishment of the Federal System
On May 20, 1972, a referendum was passed to abolish the federal system of government in favor of a United Republic of Cameroon, headed from Yaoundé.
May 1975: National Flag Changed
The national flag was changed on May 20, 1975. Two stars were removed, replaced with a large central star as a symbol of national unity.
1975: Change of National Flag
The national flag was changed on May 20, 1975. Two stars were removed, replaced with a large central star as a symbol of national unity.
November 1982: Ahidjo Resigns, Biya Takes Over
Ahidjo stepped down on November 4, 1982 and left power to his constitutional successor, Paul Biya. However, Ahidjo remained in control of the CNU and tried to run the country from behind the scenes until Biya and his allies pressured him into resigning.
1982: Ahidjo Steps Down, Biya Assumes Power
Ahidjo stepped down on November 4, 1982, and left power to his constitutional successor, Paul Biya.
1982: Cameroon's Success in FIFA World Cup
Cameroon's national football team demonstrated its prowess in the 1982 FIFA World Cup, marking the beginning of its recognition as a formidable force in African football.
1984: Renaming to the Republic of Cameroon
The country was renamed the Republic of Cameroon in 1984 by a presidential decree by president Paul Biya.
August 1986: Lake Nyos Disaster Kills Hundreds
On August 21, 1986, Lake Nyos, a crater lake in Cameroon, released a large amount of carbon dioxide, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 people.
1986: Petroleum Exploitation Decline
After 1986, Cameroon experienced a decline in petroleum exploitation, impacting the nation's economy due to the sector's significance. Despite the decline, fluctuations in oil prices continued to significantly influence the economy.
December 1990: Reintroduction of Multi-Party Politics
With the reintroduction of multi-party politics in December 1990, the former British Southern Cameroons pressure groups called for greater autonomy, and the Southern Cameroons National Council advocated complete secession as the Republic of Ambazonia.
December 1990: Cameroon Allows Multi-Party Politics
The Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), President Biya's party, was the only legal political party until December 1990, when the country transitioned to a multi-party system.
1992: New Labour Code Introduced
The 1992 Labour Code of Cameroon gives workers the freedom to belong to a trade union or not to belong to any trade union at all.
1996: Cameroon and Nigeria Attempt Cease-fire
In 1996, Cameroon and Nigeria attempted to establish a cease-fire in the Bakassi peninsula; however, fighting resumed and continued for several years.
1996: Constitution Establishes Second House of Parliament
The 1996 constitution of Cameroon established a second house of parliament, the 100-seat Senate.
1997: Cameroon Establishes Anti-Corruption Bureaus
In 1997, Cameroon established anti-corruption bureaus in 29 ministries, aiming to combat corruption within the government.
1998: Logging Industry in Cameroon
By 1998, logging in Cameroon, largely controlled by foreign firms, generated US$60 million annually in government taxes. This revenue stream highlighted the economic significance of Cameroon's vast timber reserves, estimated to cover 37% of the nation's land area, primarily located in the southern rainforest.
2000: Olympic Gold Medal in Football
Cameroon achieved a historic victory in 2000 by securing the gold medal in football at the Olympic Games. This triumph marked a pinnacle of success for Cameroonian football on the international stage.
2002: ICJ Rules in Favor of Cameroon's Sovereignty Over Bakassi Peninsula
The ICJ ruled in 2002 that the Anglo-German Agreement of 1913 granted sovereignty of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon. The ruling mandated a withdrawal of both countries' forces from the region.
2004: Fairtrade Cotton Production
The production of Fairtrade cotton was introduced in Cameroon in 2004.
2004: Nigeria Misses Deadline to Hand Over Bakassi Peninsula
Nigeria failed to meet the 2004 deadline set by the ICJ to hand over control of the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon.
2004: Cameroon Embarks on Economic Reforms
From 2004 to 2008, Cameroon implemented economic reforms advocated by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), aiming to reduce poverty, privatize industries, and boost economic growth.
2005: Road Banditry Impedes Transportation
From 2005 onwards, road banditry escalated along Cameroon's eastern borders, particularly due to the escalating instability in the Central African Republic. This criminal activity significantly hindered transportation and trade routes in the region.
2005: Kidnappings by Central African Bandits
Since 2005, there has been a surge in the number of kidnappings of Cameroonian citizens by bandits operating from the Central African Republic.
January 2006: Biya Launches Anti-Corruption Drive
On January 18, 2006, President Biya initiated an anti-corruption drive led by the National Anti-Corruption Observatory.
June 2006: UN-Mediated Summit Leads to Agreement on Bakassi Peninsula
In June 2006, a UN-mediated summit resulted in an agreement between Cameroon and Nigeria for Nigeria to withdraw from the Bakassi peninsula.
June 2006: Resolution of Bakassi Peninsula Dispute
In June 2006, talks concerning a territorial dispute over the Bakassi peninsula were resolved, resulting in Cameroonian control of the oil-rich peninsula.
August 2006: Nigeria Completes Withdrawal from Bakassi Peninsula
By August 2006, Nigeria completed its withdrawal from the Bakassi peninsula, handing over control to Cameroon.
August 2006: Handover of Bakassi Peninsula Begins
The northern portion of the Bakassi peninsula territory was formally handed over to the Cameroonian government in August 2006.
2007: Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Cameroon
By 2007, Cameroon was hosting around 97,400 refugees and asylum seekers. A significant portion of this population consisted of 49,300 individuals from the Central African Republic, many of whom were displaced by the ongoing conflict.
February 2008: Violent Protests Erupt in Cameroon
In February 2008, Cameroon experienced its worst violence in 15 years when a transport union strike in Douala escalated into violent protests in 31 municipal areas.
2008: Handover of Bakassi Peninsula Completed
The remainder of the Bakassi peninsula was left to Cameroon two years later, in 2008.
2008: Cameroon Achieves Economic Progress
By 2008, Cameroon made significant economic strides, reducing public debt from over 60% of GDP to 10% and quadrupling official reserves to over US$3 billion.
November 2009: Bakassi Militants Lay Down Arms
While most militants in Bakassi laid down their arms in November 2009, some carried on fighting for years.
2012: Deadly Diseases in Cameroon
In 2012, HIV/AIDS, lower respiratory tract infections, and diarrheal diseases were identified as the three most lethal diseases in Cameroon. This data highlighted the significant health challenges posed by infectious diseases in the country.
2012: Transparency International Ranks Cameroon High in Corruption
In 2012, Transparency International ranked Cameroon 144th out of 176 countries on a list measuring corruption levels, indicating a significant problem.
2012: Life Expectancy and Healthcare Quality
In 2012, the life expectancy at birth in Cameroon was estimated to be 56 years, with 48 years expected to be lived in good health. This data highlighted the relatively low life expectancy and underscored concerns regarding the quality of healthcare in the country.
2013: Female Genital Mutilation in Cameroon
A 2013 UNICEF report revealed that 1% of women in Cameroon had undergone Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), indicating its presence, albeit not widespread, in the country. This data underscored the vulnerability of women and girls to harmful traditional practices.
2013: Primary School Enrollment Rate
In 2013, Cameroon had a primary school enrollment rate of 93.5%.
2013: Literacy Rate in Cameroon
In 2013, Cameroon's total adult literacy rate was approximately 71.3%. The youth literacy rate, for those aged 15-24, stood at 85.4% for males and 76.4% for females.
2013: Fertility Rate and Population Growth in Cameroon
In 2013, the World Health Organization reported that Cameroon had a fertility rate of 4.8, resulting in a population growth rate of 2.56%.
May 2014: Cameroon and Chad Declare War on Boko Haram
In May 2014, in the wake of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, presidents Paul Biya of Cameroon and Idriss Déby of Chad announced they were waging war on Boko Haram, and deployed troops to the Nigerian border.
June 2014: AlertNet Report
On June 4, 2014, AlertNet published a report [content not provided].
December 2014: Child Labor in Cameroon
In December 2014, the Bureau of International Labor Affairs released a list identifying Cameroon as one of the countries engaging child labor in cocoa production. This report highlighted the persistent issue of child labor in Cameroon's agricultural sector.
December 2014: Boko Haram Attacks Cameroon
Boko Haram launched several attacks into Cameroon, killing 84 civilians in a December 2014 raid.
2014: Healthcare Expenditure
Only 4.1% of Cameroon's total GDP expenditure was allocated to healthcare in 2014, indicating a significant lack of investment in the health sector. This underfunding contributed to a shortage of qualified medical professionals and inadequate healthcare facilities, particularly outside major urban areas.
2014: Contraceptive Prevalence Rate
In 2014, the contraceptive prevalence rate in Cameroon was estimated to be 34.4%. This relatively low rate suggested limited access to or utilization of family planning methods, potentially contributing to the country's high fertility rate.
2014: Poverty Rate in Cameroon Remains High
In 2014, approximately 23.8% of Cameroon's population lived below the international poverty line of US$1.90 per day.
2014: Refugees Fleeing Violence in the Central African Republic
During the early months of 2014, Cameroon experienced an influx of thousands of refugees escaping the violence in the Central African Republic.
January 2015: Boko Haram Suffers Defeat in Cameroon
Boko Haram suffered a heavy defeat in a raid in Cameroon in January 2015.
November 2016: Protests Erupt in Anglophone Regions
In November 2016, protests began in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, where English is predominantly spoken. The protesters demanded the continued use of English in schools and courts.
December 2016: Women Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Cameroon
Cameroon hosted the Women Africa Cup of Nations in December 2016.
2016: HIV/AIDS Prevalence and Mortality
In 2016, the estimated HIV/AIDS prevalence rate among individuals aged 15-49 in Cameroon was 3.8%. However, social stigma associated with the disease likely resulted in underreporting of cases, making it difficult to ascertain the true extent of the epidemic.
2017: Agriculture in Cameroon
In 2017, agriculture employed an estimated 70% of Cameroon's population and contributed to 16.7% of its GDP. The majority of farming practices involved subsistence farming by local farmers using simple tools.
2017: Government Blocks Internet Access and Separatists Launch Guerilla War
In 2017, the Cameroonian government blocked internet access in the Anglophone regions for three months. In September of that year, separatists initiated a guerilla war for independence, aiming to establish the Federal Republic of Ambazonia.
2017: Tensions Escalate in English-Speaking Territories
In 2017, tensions over the creation of an Ambazonian state in the English-speaking territories escalated into open warfare.
2017: Industry in Cameroon
Factory-based industry in Cameroon constituted an estimated 26.5% of its GDP in 2017. Over 75% of this industrial activity was concentrated in Douala and Bonabéri.
2017: Government Shuts Down Internet in Anglophone Region
In 2017, President Biya imposed a 94-day internet shutdown in the English-speaking region of Cameroon, impacting five million people, including startups in the Silicon Mountain area.
2017: Language Protests and the Anglophone Crisis
In 2017, Cameroon experienced language-based protests fueled by the Anglophone population's perception of oppression by Francophone speakers. The government responded with military force, leading to fatalities, mass arrests, and the displacement of thousands.
2017: Cameroon's Per Capita GDP Estimated at US$3,700
In 2017, Cameroon's per capita GDP, based on purchasing power parity, was estimated to be US$3,700.
July 2018: UN Expresses Concern Over Human Rights Violations in Cameroon
On July 25, 2018, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, voiced deep concern regarding reports of human rights violations and abuses in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.
September 2018: Cameroon Declares Victory over Boko Haram
Cameroon declared victory over Boko Haram on Cameroonian territory in September 2018.
2018: Corruption Worsens Despite Anti-Corruption Efforts
Despite previous anti-corruption initiatives, corruption worsened in Cameroon, as Transparency International ranked the country 152nd out of 180 countries in 2018.
July 2019: Cameroon Supports China's Treatment of Uyghurs
In July 2019, ambassadors from 37 countries, including Cameroon, signed a joint letter to the UN Human Rights Council defending China's treatment of Uyghurs in the Xinjiang region.
2019: Fighting Continues Between Separatists and Government Forces
As of 2019, the conflict between separatist guerillas and government forces persisted.
2019: Cameroon's Unemployment Rate Estimated at 3.38%
In 2019, the unemployment rate in Cameroon was estimated to be 3.38%.
February 2020: Parliamentary Elections Held
The most recent parliamentary elections in Cameroon took place on February 9, 2020.
June 2020: Internally Displaced Persons Due to Anglophone Crisis
By June 2020, the ongoing Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon resulted in the internal displacement of an estimated 740,000 people, underscoring the conflict's profound humanitarian impact.
December 2020: Boko Haram Intensifies Attacks in Far North Region
Starting in December 2020, Human Rights Watch reported an increase in attacks by the Islamist armed group Boko Haram in Cameroon's Far North region, resulting in the deaths of at least 80 civilians.
2020: African Nations Championship hosted by Cameroon
Cameroon hosted the African Nations Championship in 2020.
2020: Terrorist Attacks and Government Reprisals Lead to Bloodshed
Throughout 2020, numerous terrorist attacks, often unclaimed, and government reprisals resulted in widespread bloodshed across the country.
December 2021: Ethnic Clashes Over Water Access Lead to Displacement
In December 2021, over 30,000 people in northern Cameroon fled to Chad due to ethnic clashes between Musgum fishermen and Arab Choa herders over access to water.
2021: Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Cameroon
Cameroon hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2021.
2021: Cameroon's Population and Life Expectancy
In 2021, Cameroon recorded a population of 27,198,628, with a life expectancy of 62.3 years. This life expectancy was further broken down into 60.6 years for males and 64 years for females.
2023: Cameroon in the Global Innovation Index
Cameroon held the 123rd position in the Global Innovation Index in 2023.