Reunification Monument, Monument in Yaoundé, Cameroon

The Reunification Monument is a white spiral tower in Yaoundé, built from curved interlocking bands that rise from a broad base to a pointed top. It stands behind a black metal gate bearing a sign for the Ministry of Arts and Culture, and brick steps lead up from the street. Inside, a basement hall has murals by Engelbert Mveng, and a ground-floor slab carries wood frescoes by Etolo Eya.

The Reunification Monument was erected in Yaoundé between 1973 and 1976 to commemorate the 1961 merger of French Cameroon and Southern Cameroons, part of the former British Cameroon. President Ahmadou Ahidjo launched a national and international competition for a representation of reunification; the spiral tower was conceived by Engelbert Mveng, the main monument built by French architect Armand Salomon, and the adjoining secondary monument by Gédéon Mpando.

The monument brings together design elements from different Cameroonian regions, created by local artists Gédéon Mpando and Engelbert Mveng to represent the country's diversity. Visitors can see how the sculptural details reflect the various communities and professions that make up the nation.

The monument is located in the heart of Yaoundé and is straightforward to reach when exploring the city center. The basement venue may have varying availability depending on scheduled events, so timing your visit can enhance the experience.

The spiral tower's two staircases coil into one another, so a person descending never meets a person climbing. At the top, the meeting point of the east and west entrances stands for the union of the anglophone and francophone parts of Cameroon.