List of colonial governors of Cameroon facts for kids

Cameroon, a country in Africa, has a rich history, especially its time under colonialism. From the late 1800s until 1960, different European powers controlled Cameroon. During this time, special leaders called colonial governors were in charge. They managed the country for their home governments.

This article tells you about these governors. It covers when Germany ruled Cameroon (called Kamerun), when France and the United Kingdom took over after World War I, and when Cameroon became a special territory managed by the League of Nations and later the United Nations.

German Cameroon (bordered in red), 1905.

German Rule in Kamerun (1884–1916)

Germany was the first European country to officially take control of Cameroon. This happened in 1884. They called the territory "Kamerun." The leaders Germany sent to govern Kamerun were called "Commissioners" or "Governors." Their job was to manage the land, its people, and its resources for the German Empire.

The first German official was Gustav Nachtigal. He signed treaties that made Kamerun a German colony. Over the years, many governors followed, each playing a role in shaping the colony. Their rule lasted until World War I.

Time in Office	Portrait	Name	Role
14 July 1884 to 19 July 1884		Gustav Nachtigal	First Commissioner
4 July 1885 to 14 February 1891		Julius von Soden	Governor
15 April 1891 to 13 August 1895		Eugen von Zimmerer	Governor
13 August 1895 to 9 May 1907		Jesko von Puttkamer	Governor
9 May 1907 to 27 August 1910		Theodor Seitz	Governor
28 August 1910 to 29 January 1912		Otto Gleim [de]	Governor
29 January 1912 to 4 March 1916		Karl Ebermaier	Last German Governor

Allied Occupation (1914–1919)

During World War I, Great Britain and France fought against Germany. They also fought for control of Germany's colonies, including Kamerun. This conflict in Africa was called the Kamerun campaign. By 1916, German forces in Cameroon surrendered.

After Germany's defeat, British and French military leaders took over the administration of Cameroon. They managed the territory until a formal decision was made about its future.

Time in Office	Portrait	Name	Role
26 August 1914 to 8 October 1916		Joseph Gaudérique Aymerich	French Military Commander and Administrator
8 October 1916 to 6 March 1919		Lucien Louis Fourneau	French Administrator
6 March 1919 to 28 June 1919		Jules Carde	French Commissioner

In 1919, Cameroon was officially divided. A larger part went to France, and a smaller part went to the United Kingdom.

French Cameroon (1916–1960)

After World War I, the League of Nations (a group of countries working for peace) decided that France would manage most of Cameroon. This was called a "mandate" territory. Later, after World War II, it became a "United Nations trust territory." This meant France was supposed to help Cameroon prepare for independence.

French officials, first called "Administrators" or "Commissioners," and later "High Commissioners," governed French Cameroon. They oversaw the development and daily life of the territory.

Time in Office	Portrait	Name	Role
7 April 1916 to 8 October 1916		Joseph Gaudérique Aymerich	Administrator
6 March 1919 to March 1923		Jules Carde	Commissioner (League of Nations Mandate)
29 April 1923 to 31 August 1932		Théodore Paul Marchand	Commissioner
31 August 1932 to 7 July 1934		Paul Auguste François Bonnecarrère	Commissioner
January 1937 to 16 November 1938		Pierre François Boisson	Commissioner
27 August 1940 to 20 November 1940		Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque	Governor
16 March 1946 to 25 March 1947		Robert Delavignette	High Commissioner (UN Trust Territory)
April 1947 to 7 July 1949		René Hoffherr	High Commissioner
10 January 1950 to 2 December 1954		Jean Louis Marie André Soucadoux	High Commissioner
2 December 1954 to 17 April 1956		Roland Joanes Louis Pré	High Commissioner
17 April 1956 to 29 January 1958		Pierre Messmer	High Commissioner
19 February 1958 to 1 January 1960		Xavier Antoine Torre	Last French High Commissioner

French Cameroon gained its independence on January 1, 1960, becoming the Republic of Cameroon.

British Cameroon (1916–1961)

The United Kingdom also received a part of Cameroon to manage, first as a League of Nations mandate and then as a UN trust territory. This area was known as British Cameroons. It was administered as part of Colonial Nigeria.

The British officials in charge were called "Residents" or "Senior Residents," and later "Commissioners." They worked to govern the territory and prepare it for its future.

Cameroon 1901–1972      German Cameroon      British Cameroon      French Cameroon      Republic of Cameroon

Time in Office	Portrait	Name	Role
1916		Kenneth V. Elphinstone	First Resident
1919 to 1921		Sir John H. Davidson	Resident (League of Nations Mandate)
1921 to 1925		Fitz Herbert Ruxton	Senior Resident
1925 to 1928		Edward John Arnett	Senior Resident
1929 to 1932		Edward John Arnett	Resident
1935 to 1938		O. W. Firth	Senior Resident
1942 to 1943		Ludlow Sealy-King	Resident
14 February 1946 to 4 August 1949		Neil Mackenzie	Senior District Officer (UN Trust Territory)
1949 to 1956		Edward John Gibbons	Special Resident, then Commissioner
1956 to 1 October 1961		John Osbaldiston Field	Last British Commissioner

British Cameroons did not become independent as one country. In 1961, the northern part joined Nigeria, and the southern part joined the newly independent Republic of Cameroon.

After Independence

After 1960 and 1961, Cameroon became a fully independent nation. Its leaders are now chosen by its own people.

• To learn about the leaders of Cameroon after independence, see: List of presidents of Cameroon

See also

• President of Cameroon
  • List of presidents of Cameroon
• Prime Minister of Cameroon
  • List of prime ministers of Cameroon
• History of Cameroon
• Politics of Cameroon