In February, Cameroonians in British-occupied territory voted on whether to join Nigeria or the Republic of Cameroon. Total independence was not presented as an option. The Northern Cameroons voted to join Nigeria, while the Southern Cameroons voted to join the Republic of Cameroon.
Southern Cameroons and the République du Cameroun held constitutional talks in preparation for unification. On October 1, 1961, Cameroon became a federal republic. British Southern Cameroon and the République du Cameroun unified as two federated states. But in practice, power was highly centralized and held by the Francophone majority.