Emmanuel Macron admits French colonial 'repression' in Cameroon independence struggle

French leader cites independence icons who were killed during military operations led by French forces.

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It followed a joint report by Cameroonian and French historians examining France's suppression of independence movements from 1945 to 1971.

In a letter to Cameroon's President Paul Biya made public on Tuesday, Macron said the report made clear "a war had taken place in Cameroon, during which the colonial authorities and the French army exercised repressive violence of several kinds in certain regions of the country".

"It is up to me today to assume the role and responsibility of France in these events," he said.

However, Macron fell short of offering a clear apology for the atrocities committed by French troops in its former colony, which gained independence in 1960.