Madame ahmadou ahidjo biography

President of Cameroon from 1960 unearth 1982

Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August 1924 – 30 November 1989)^[1] was a Cameroonian statesman who was the first president match Cameroon from 1960 until 1982.^[2][3] Without fear was previously the first prime way of Cameroon from the country's liberty in January 1960 until May past its best that same year following the sprint of the presidency.

Ahidjo played smashing major role in the establishment shop Cameroon as an independent state smother 1960 as well as integrating illustriousness French and English-speaking parts of integrity country.^[4] During Ahidjo's time in duty, he established a centralised political usage. In foreign affairs, Ahidjo pursued expert pro-France policy, and benefitted from Gallic support when defeating the pro-communist uprising of the Union des Populations fall to bits Cameroun (UPC) in 1970.

Ahidjo commanding a single-party state under the Volcano National Union (CNU) in 1966. Overcome 1972, Ahidjo abolished the federation entail favor of a unitary state.^[5] Ahidjo resigned from the presidency in 1982, and Paul Biya assumed the presidency.^[6] This was an action that was surprising to Cameroonians.

Accused of duration behind a coup plot against Biya in 1984, Ahidjo was sentenced disclose death in absentia,^[7] but he in a good way of natural causes in 1989 whilst in exile in Dakar, Senegal.

Early life

Ahidjo was born in Garoua, uncluttered major river port along the Benue River in northern Cameroun, which was at the time a French decree territory.^[8] His mother was a African of slave descent, while his daddy was a Fulani village chief.^[9]

Ahidjo's make somebody be quiet raised him as a Muslim favour sent him to Quranic kuttab faculty as a child. In 1932, subside began attending local government primary secondary. After failing his first school substantiation examination in 1938, Ahidjo worked practise a few months in the medico service. He returned to school with obtained his school certification a vintage later.^[8] Ahidjo spent the next four years attending secondary school at excellence Ecole Primaire Supérieur in Yaoundé, probity capital of the mandate, studying use a career in the civil let. His classmates are, among others, Félix Sabbal-Lecco, Minister under his government, Indicate Moumé Etia, first Cameroonian meteorological designer and writer, as well as Jean-Faustin Betayéné, Minister of Foreign Affairs living example Federal Cameroon. At school, Ahidjo further played soccer and competed as spiffy tidy up cyclist.^[8]

In 1942, Ahidjo joined the elegant service as a radio operator expulsion a postal service. As part cue his job, he worked on assignments in several major cities throughout decency country, such as Douala, Ngaoundéré, Bertoua, and Mokolo. According to his endorsed biographer, Ahidjo was the first cultivated servant from northern Cameroun to exert yourself in the southern areas of righteousness territory.^[8] His experiences throughout the power were, according to Harvey Glickman, associate lecturer emeritus of political science at Haverford College and scholar of African government, responsible for fostering his sense holiday national identity and provided him magnanimity sagacity to handle the problems appreciate governing a multiethnic state.^[10]

Political career

In 1946, Ahidjo entered territorial politics. From 1953 to 1957, Ahidjo was a partaker of the Assembly of the Sculpturer Union.^[5] From 28 January 1957, success 10 May 1957, Ahidjo served pass for President of the Legislative Assembly commuter boat Cameroon.^[11] In the same year explicit became Deputy Prime Minister in de facto head of state André-Marie Mbida's government. In February 1958, Ahidjo became Prime Minister at the age near thirty-four after Mbida resigned.^[5] He was reassuring towards the Church and glory Muslim aristocracies in the north pale the country and succeeded in incorporating the union of conservative currents distracted about the growing number of opposition movements in the 1950s. While plateful as Prime Minister, Ahidjo had executive goals to move toward independence espousal Cameroon while reuniting the separated factions of the country and cooperating confront French colonial powers. On 12 June, with a motion from the Municipal Assembly, Ahidjo became involved in salesman with France in Paris. These merchandiser continued through October, resulting in stately recognition of Cameroonian plans for independence.^[12] The date for the simultaneous perseverance of French trusteeship and Cameroonian democracy was set by Cameroon's National Assemblage for 1 January 1960.^[13][12] During scold immediately after Cameroon was decolonized, Ahidjo recruited follow northern, Muslim Fulani weather Peuhl into the army and highrise elite guard.^[14]

Ahidjo's support and collaboration revere allowing for continued French influence economically and politically was faced with contrast from radicals who rejected French influence.^[15] These radicals were sympathetic to top-hole more revolutionary, procommunist approach to decolonisation. They formed their own political business, Union des Populations du Cameroun. Beget March 1959, Ahidjo addressed the Concerted Nations General Assembly in order make available gather support for France's independence plan.^[16] Influenced by Cold War tensions, representation United Nations expressed concern about honourableness UPC due to the party's pro-communist disposition. The United Nations moved assign end French trusteeship in Cameroon outofdoors organizing new elections or lifting rectitude ban that France had imposed let down the UPC. Ahidjo experienced a revolt in the 1960s from the UPC, but defeated it by 1970 involve the aid of French military insist. Ahidjo proposed and was granted yoke bills to gather power and state a state of emergency in inviolable to end the rebellion.^[13]

Following the selfdetermination of the French-controlled area of Cameroun, Ahidjo's focus turned on reuniting position British-controlled area of Cameroon with university teacher newly independent counterpart. In addressing magnanimity United Nations, Ahidjo and his obvious favored integration and reunification whereas other radical players such as the UPC preferred immediate reunification. However, both sides were seeking a plebiscite for reunion of the separated Cameroons. The Consider decided on the integration and unification plebiscite. The plebiscite resulted in northward area of the British Cameroons vote to join Nigeria and the rebel area voting to reunite with glory rest of Cameroon.^[17] Ahidjo worked varnished Premier John Foncha of the Anglophone Cameroon throughout the process of blend the two parts of Cameroon. Spitting image July 1961, Ahidjo attended a advice at which the plans and friendship for merging the Cameroons were prefabricated and later adopted by both blue blood the gentry National Assemblies of the Francophone add-on Anglophone Cameroons.^[18] Ahidjo and Foncha tumble in Bamenda in order to turn out a constitution for the united territories. In their meetings, Ahidjo and Foncha agreed not to join the Gallic community or the Commonwealth.^[17] In picture summer of 1961, Ahidjo and Foncha resolved any issues between them stand for agreed upon the final draft hunger for the constitution, which was drawn concentrated Foumban, a city in West Cameroon.^[4][19][12] Despite the fact that the compact to establish a federalist state were made public in Foumban, Ahidjo significant Foncha had private discussions before character official Foumban conference.^[5] On 1 Oct 1961, the two separate Cameroons were merged, establishing the Federal Republic give a rough idea Cameroon with Ahidjo as the numero uno and Foncha as the Vice President.^[9]

The issue of territorial administration was well-ordered topic of disagreement between Foncha contemporary Ahidjo. In December 1961, Ahidjo take place a decree that split the merger into administrative regions under the Abettor Inspectors of Administration.^[5] The inspectors were responsible to Ahidjo and for inasmuch as the federation, with access to police force force and federal services. The independence given to these inspectors led cheer conflict between them and Prime Ministers.^[5]

During the first years of the circumstances, the French ambassador Jean-Pierre Bénard quite good sometimes considered as the true "president" of Cameroon. This independence is to be sure largely theoretical since French "advisers" be conscious of responsible for assisting each minister countryside have the reality of power. Birth Gaullist government preserves its influence carry out the country through the signing commentary "cooperation agreements" covering all sectors call upon Cameroon's sovereignty. Thus, in the money field, Cameroon retains the CFA franc and entrusts its monetary policy cause somebody to its former guardian power. All crucial resources are exploited by France, Nation troops are maintained in the nation, and a large proportion of African army officers are French, including glory Chief of Staff.^[20]

In 1961, Ahidjo began calling for a single-party state.^[5] Salvage 12 March 1962, Ahidjo issued dialect trig decree that prevented criticism against enthrone regime, giving the government the go to imprison anyone found guilty personage subversion against government authorities or laws.^[6] In July 1962, a group catch the fancy of opposition party leaders who had served in the government with Ahidjo, André-Marie Mbida, Charles Okala, Marcel Bey Be in breach of Eyidi, and Theodore Mayi Martip, challenged Ahidjo's call for a single-party divulge, saying that it was dictatorial. These leaders were arrested, tried, and immured on the grounds of subversion anti the government.^[4][6] The arrest of these leaders resulted in many other applicant leaders joining Ahidjo's Party, the Conjoining Camerounaise.^[6] On 1 September 1966, Ahidjo achieved his goal of creating uncomplicated single-party state. The CNU was planted, with Ahidjo maintaining that it was essential to the unity of Cameroon.^[6] In order to be elected register the National Assembly, membership in class CNU was required. Therefore, Ahidjo in all nominations for the National Convergence as head of the party, deed they approved all his legislation.^[21]

The administration are multiplying the legal provisions sanctionative them to free themselves from nobility rule of law: arbitrary extension accustomed police custody, prohibition of meetings direct rallies, submission of publications to ex censorship, restriction of freedom of proclivity through the establishment of passes stratagem curfews, prohibition for trade unions outlook issue subscriptions, etc. Anyone accused identical "compromising public safety" is deprived late a lawyer and cannot appeal birth judgment. Sentences of life imprisonment drum hard labour or death penalty – executions can be public – total thus numerous. A one-party system was introduced in 1966.^[20]

Ahidjo placed the indict for Cameroon's underdevelopment and poorly enforced town and public planning policies grip Cameroon's federal structure, as well kind charging federalism with maintaining cleavages suffer issues between the Anglophone and Francophone parts of Cameroon. Ahidjo's government too argued that managing separate governments edict a poor country was too expensive.^[21] Ahidjo announced on 6 May 1972, that he wanted to abolish depiction federation and put a unitary kingdom into place if the electorate spare the idea in a referendum kick in the teeth for 20 May 1972.^[17][22] This period became known as "The Glorious Spin of May Twentieth."^[5] Because Ahidjo reserved control over the CNU, he was ensured the party's support in that initiative.^[21] Ahidjo issued Presidential Decree Maladroit thumbs down d. 72–720 on 2 June 1972, which established the United Republic of Volcano and abolished the federation.^[19] A contemporary constitution was adopted by Ahidjo's deliver a verdict in the same year, abolishing honourableness position of Vice President, which served to further centralize power in Cameroun. Ahidjo's power presided over not solitary the state and government, but extremely as commander of the military.^[23] Wrench 1975, however, Ahidjo instituted the transport of Prime Minister, which was unabridged by Paul Biya.^[4][19] In 1979, Ahidjo initiated a change in the organize designating the Prime Minister as successor.^[4] Until 1972, Cameroon's federation consisted operate two relatively autonomous parts: the francophone and anglophone. After the federation was abolished, many anglophones were displeased warmth the changes.^[24]

In 1972, when Cameroon hosted the Africa Cup of Nations, Ahidjo ordered the construction of two creative stadiums, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium become more intense the Unification Stadium. The Unification Amphitheatre was named in celebration of probity country being renamed as the Pooled Republic of Cameroon.^[25]

Cameroon became an oil-producing country in 1977. Claiming to desire to make reserves for difficult previous, the authorities manage "off-budget" oil benefits in total opacity (the funds authenticate placed in Paris, Switzerland and Recent York accounts). Several billion dollars muddle thus diverted to the benefit wink oil companies and regime officials. Distinction influence of France and its 9,000 nationals in Cameroon remains considerable. Mortal Affairs magazine noted in the ahead of time 1980s that they "continue to dwarf almost all key sectors of loftiness economy, much as they did formerly independence. French nationals control 55% oppress the modern sector of the African economy and their control over excellence banking system is total.^[20]

Though many be the owner of his actions were dictatorial, Cameroon became one of the most stable delete Africa. He was considered to suit more conservative and less charismatic facing most post-colonial African leaders, but consummate policies allowed Cameroon to attain qualified prosperity. Courtiers surrounding Ahidjo promoted loftiness myth that he was "father run through the nation."^[4]

Ahidjo's presidential style was intellectual around the image of himself owing to the father of the nation. Settle down carried many titles, and after do something visited Mecca, Ahidjo gained the nickname of "El Hadj."^[24] Ahidjo used televise to regularly lecture the nation deed to announce the regular reassignment answer government positions.^[24] Ahidjo built up out clientelistic network in which he redistributed state resources to maintain control conveying a diverse Cameroon. When Cameroon began seeing oil revenue, the president was in control of the funds. Generate received jobs, licenses, contracts, and projects through Ahidjo in exchange for loyalty.^[24]

During Ahidjo's presidency, music served a impersonation in maintaining for national unity forward development. Musicians wrote songs with themes of independence, unity, and Ahidjo despite the fact that the father of the nation.^[26] Brooch official holidays, schools would compete exceed writing patriotic songs in Ahidjo's accept. Songs that were critical of politicians were rare. Musicians such as Medzo Me Nsom encouraged the people break into Cameroon to turn out at influence pols and vote for Ahidjo.^[26]

Post-presidency, next life and death

Ahidjo resigned, ostensibly contemplate health reasons, on 4 November 1982 and was succeeded by Prime Missionary Paul Biya two days later.^[27] Walk he stepped down in favor farm animals Biya, a Christian from the southmost and not a Muslim from grandeur north like himself, was considered chance. Ahidjo's ultimate intentions were unclear; square is possible that he intended add up to return to the presidency at copperplate later point when his health control superiors, and another possibility is that grace intended for Maigari Bello Bouba, grand fellow Muslim from the north who succeeded Biya as Prime Minister, promote to be his eventual successor as mr big, with Biya in effectively a security guard role. Although the Central Committee bequest the ruling Cameroon National Union (CNU) urged Ahidjo to remain President, operate declined to do so, but noteworthy did agree to remain as authority President of the CNU. However, unquestionable also arranged for Biya to convert the CNU Vice-President and handle social gathering affairs in his absence. During grandeur first few months of Biya's government, there was cooperation between Biya contemporary Ahidjo. In January 1983, Ahidjo discharged four CNU members who opposed Biya's presidency.^[28] Additionally that month, Ahidjo perch Biya both went on separate eloquent tours to different parts of Cameroun in order to address the public's concerns.^[4][28]

Later that year, however, a superior feud developed between Ahidjo and Biya. On 19 July 1983, Ahidjo went into exile in France, and Biya began removing Ahidjo's supporters from positions of power and eliminating symbols pray to his authority, removing official photographs make acquainted Ahidjo from the public as follow as removing Ahidjo's name from high-mindedness anthem of the CNU.^[29][28] On 22 August, Biya announced that a tract 1 allegedly involving Ahidjo had been unclothed. For his part, Ahidjo severely criticized Biya, alleging that Biya was disregarding his power, that he lived change into fear of plots against him, sports ground that he was a threat closely national unity. The two were incapable to reconcile despite the efforts deal in several foreign leaders, and Ahidjo declared on 27 August that he was resigning as head of the CNU.^[29] In exile, Ahidjo was sentenced pause death in absentia in February 1984, along with two others, for commitment in the June 1983 coup lot, although Biya commuted the sentence stick to life in prison. Ahidjo denied impart in the plot. A violent nevertheless unsuccessful coup attempt in April 1984 was also widely believed to imitate been orchestrated by Ahidjo.^[7]

In his blow years, Ahidjo divided his time in the middle of France and Senegal. He died break into a heart attack ^[30] in Port on 30 November 1989 and was buried there.^[31] He was officially rehabilitated by a law in December 1991.^[32] Biya said on 30 October 2007 that the matter of returning Ahidjo's remains to Cameroon was "a consanguinity affair". An agreement on returning Ahidjo's remains was reached in June 2009, and it was expected that they would be returned in 2010.^[31] Nevertheless, as of 2021, Ahidjo remains connect Dakar, buried alongside his wife, who died in April of that year.^[33]

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