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| 3. Cameroon |
| 1960, Jan. 1 |
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| The portion of Cameroon under French mandate became independent. | 1 |
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| 1961, June 1 |
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| The new Federal Republic of Cameroon was formed, linking former British-controlled Western Cameroon with the Republic of Cameroon. | 2 |
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| 1972, May |
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| The United Republic of Cameroon was established, following approval of a new constitution by referendum. | 3 |
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| 1982, Nov |
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| Pres. Ahmadou Ahidjo resigned after 22 years in power. Prime Minister Paul Biya became the new president. | 4 |
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| 1984, April |
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| The republican guard staged an unsuccessful coup, during which many lives were lost. Rivalries between followers of Ahidjo and Biya, as well as those between northerners and the rest of the country, continued to plague the country. | 5 |
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| 1986 |
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| Lake Nyos disaster. An explosion of volcanic gases in northwest Cameroon killed 1,700 people and thousands of livestock. A massive international relief operation provided food and medical care to the survivors. | 6 |
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| 1987 |
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| Electoral reforms led to a greater choice of candidates and increased voter turnout in municipal elections. The arrest of journalists, however, signaled continuing government authoritarianism. | 7 |
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| 1988, April |
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| Biya, running unopposed, was reelected president. | 8 |
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| 2000, June 14 |
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| The World Bank agreed to give over $200 million toward a $3.7 billion oil pipeline connecting Cameroon with its inland neighboring nation, Chad. Its principal export, petroleum, accounts for more than 60 percent of Cameroon's export revenue. | 9 |
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