Beyond Restitution: France’s Acknowledgment in Cameroon Moves Past Artifacts

France’s dialogue with its African past has moved beyond the restitution of artifacts to a more direct confrontation with historical violence. The acknowledgment of its role in a brutal war in Cameroon signals a new, more difficult phase in this ongoing reckoning.
While the return of cultural objects to nations like Benin was a significant step, President Emmanuel Macron’s admission of responsibility for a war that killed tens of thousands is a far more profound confession. It addresses the human cost of colonialism, not just its material plunder.
This shift was prompted by a joint historical commission that detailed French-led repression in Cameroon from 1945 to 1971. Macron’s acceptance of these findings shows a willingness to engage with the ugliest aspects of France’s imperial history.
However, just as with restitution, this new phase is fraught with challenges. The lack of an apology or reparations for the human losses in Cameroon shows that France is still hesitant to fully commit to restorative justice. The conversation has moved past artifacts, but the larger question of historical debt remains unresolved.