Temporalities of independence and closure: violence in the UN-trusteeships of Togoland and Cameroon

After World War II, the former German colonies of Cameroon and Togoland were placed under United Nations trusteeship, a system meant to guide territories toward self-governance. Despite similar structural conditions, their trajectories diverged: Togoland transitioned relatively peaceful to independence, while Cameroon’s decolonisation was marked by violence. This paper explores how and why these contrasting outcomes emerged and what they reveal about the foundational years of the UN. It argues that Togoland’s trusteeship enabled expanded political action, while restrictive policies in Cameroon curtailed independence efforts. Drawing on archival material, the paper analyses debates within and petitions to the UN Trusteeship Council during the 1950s. It highlights how timing shaped international recognition and contributed to structural inequalities. By foregrounding two often-overlooked cases, the paper adds a temporal dimension to understanding hierarchies in the international system and contributes to broader discussions on inequality, temporality and the legacy of international organisations in decolonisation processes.