WARDSHIP (1945 – 1960)

After Second World War, the UN changed Cameroon’s status to protectorate as his guardianship, but was still integrated into France just as the other French colonies.

By the 1940s, the colonial authorities encouraged agricultural diversification. This brought about the emergence of new cash crops such as coffee or cotton in the North. Farming and logging took on a new dimension with new routes for transportation. By the trusteeship agreement of 13^th December, 1946 the French Cameroon became a “trust territory’’.

The French Cameroon member of the French Union

According to the French Constitution of 27^th October 1946, the French Cameroon became an “associated territory’’, member of the French Union. A union of international law including the French Republic on one hand and on the other hand territories and condition associated therewith.

The French Cameroon - Associated Territory

Being an “associate territory’’ placed the French Cameroon in an intermediate position of the “overseas territories’’ of the French Republic on one hand, and the ‘’associate states’’ on the other hand.

As an “overseas territory,’’ French Cameroon was not considered a state. As a result, it was not represented at the High Council of French Union under the first paragraph of Article 65 of the constitution of 27^th October 1946. It was made under the chairmanship of the president of the Union. A delegation from the French government and representation requesting each partner’s right to be nominated to become president of the Union was presented. This led to the French Cameroon being represented in the parliament of the French Republic. Law No. 46-2383 of 27^th October 1946 on the composition and election of the council of the Republic allowed its representation on the Board; making Cameroon an “associate state’’ instead of “overseas territories’’. The French Cameroon was thereafter made a territorial unit of the French Republic and a member of the French Union. Thus he was then represented in the assembly of the French Union. The Constitution of 27^th October 1947 did not provide for the representation of  “associate territory’’ to the assembly of the French Union: Article 66 provided that the assembly of the French Union as composed of equal number of members representing the France and equal number of members representing the department of both the overseas territories and Associated States. But the law No. 46-2385 of 27^th October 1946 on the composition and election of the Assembly of the French Union provided him representation in the Assembly of the French Union.

In 1946, a Representative Assembly of Cameroon (ARCAM) was established and Louis Paul Aujoulat and Alexandre Douala Manga became deputies to the French National Assembly.

This period was the period of the opening of new public and private schools, as well  as several secondary schools including  the famous High school General Leclerc in Yaounde.

The colonial authorities began sending the best students from Dakar to France to pursue higher education. Around the same time electrification and water supply in major cities also began.

In 1952 the congregation changed its name and became Territorial Assembly of Cameroon (TACAM).

In 1955 the UPC (Union des Populations Camerounaise – United Populations of Cameroon) National Party under Marxist inspiration wanted the unification of the British and French Cameroon and also the immediate independence, was banned after violent movements.

The French Cameroon, autonomous state

In 1956, France granted internal autonomy and the assembly became Legislative Assembly of Cameroon (LACAM).

In 1957, Andre Marie Mbida became Prime Minister and Ahmadou Ahidjo also became deputy Prime Minister. By decree No. 57-501 of 16^th April 1957 posting Cameroon status, the Guy Mollet’s French government built the French Cameroon as an “associated territory’’ in a state under the name of “State Trust of Cameroon’’.

Despite the intervention of Ruben Um Nyobe (UPC Leader) the new government refused to lift the ban on the UPC, they then decided to go underground Um Nyobe died during this battle.

In 1958 Andre Marie Mbida was forced to resign and was replaced by Ahmadou Ahidjo.

Towards Independence

On the 12^th June of 1958, the Legislative Assembly of Cameroon took a first resolution “affirming the option of the state of Cameroon for independence after the guardianship’’

On 24^th October 1958, the Legislative Assembly of Cameroon took a second resolution declaring including the willingness of the people to see the Cameroonian state (guardianship) of Cameroon’s access to full independence on January 1^st of 1960.

Dismember ship to the Community

The French Union was dissolved by the French Constitution of 4^th October 1958. In place of the French union, Title XII was replaced with the Community Union Law including the French Republic on one hand, and some of its former overseas territories on the other hand.

The French Cameroon was never a Member State of the Community. By Ordinance No. 58-1375 of 30 December of 1958 on the Cameroon’s status the Michel Debre French government changed the “under supervision state of Cameroon’’ into “State of Cameroon’’

Termination of the Trusteeship

On January 1^st 1960, Cameroon became independent under French tutelage and took the name of “Republic of Cameroon’’. Cameroon became the first of the 18 African colonies to gain their independence.