In Cameroon, 20th May is a very important day. It is called National Day or Unity Day. Every year, Cameroonians all over the country celebrate this day with joy and pride. But why is this day so important? To understand that, we need to look at the history of Cameroon and what happened on 20th May 1972.
A long time ago, Cameroon was made up of two parts. One part was controlled by the French and the other by the British after World War I. Later, when Cameroon gained independence, the two parts became known as East Cameroon and West Cameroon. East Cameroon was French-speaking, and West Cameroon was English-speaking. Even though they came together to form one country, each side still had its own government. This type of system was called a federal system. It meant that there was a central government for the whole country, but also smaller governments in the two regions that made some decisions on their own.
This system worked for a while, but some leaders thought it was dividing the country instead of bringing people together. They believed that Cameroon would be stronger and more united if it had one single government. This idea was supported by the first president of Cameroon, Ahmadou Ahidjo. He wanted to create a more united nation where decisions were made from one central place and all Cameroonians were treated as one people.
So, on 20th May 1972, President Ahidjo organized a national vote, also known as a referendum. All Cameroonians were asked to vote whether they wanted to keep the federal system or move to a unitary state. A unitary state means that there is only one central government for the whole country, and the smaller regional governments are removed. The people of Cameroon voted in large numbers, and most of them agreed to change the system. From that day forward, Cameroon became a united republic with one government for everyone.
This moment was seen as a big step forward for peace, unity, and national identity. It meant that Cameroonians from both English-speaking and French-speaking regions were now working together under the same government. It was a new chapter in the country’s history, and that is why 20th May became National Day.
Every year on this day, celebrations take place in every town and village. People gather to watch parades, dances, and cultural shows. School children, soldiers, political leaders, workers, and many other groups march proudly in front of local and national leaders. In the capital city, Yaoundé, the president usually gives a speech to the nation. The celebrations show the rich culture and unity of the Cameroonian people.
But even though 20th May is a day of celebration, it is also a time for reflection. In recent years, some people from the English-speaking regions of Cameroon have said that they do not feel fully included in the decisions of the central government. They believe that the old federal system protected their language, culture, and way of life better. This has caused tension in some parts of the country. Some people have even chosen not to celebrate 20th May because they feel that the unity promised in 1972 has not been fully achieved.
Despite these challenges, 20th May still remains a very special day in the history of Cameroon. It reminds the country of the time when all Cameroonians came together and chose to live as one people. It is a day that shows the hope for peace, unity, and progress. Many people believe that with understanding, dialogue, and respect for all regions, the dream of a united Cameroon can truly come true.
In simple words, 20th May is a day that tells the story of how Cameroonians chose to be one. It is a day to celebrate being part of the same nation, and also a day to think about how to make that nation better for everyone.
