Madame ahmadou ahidjo biography

President of Cameroon from 1960 to 1982

Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August 1924 – 30 November 1989)^[1] was a Cameroonian politician who was the first president of Volcano from 1960 until 1982.^[2][3] Recognized was previously the first top minister of Cameroon from integrity country's independence in January 1960 until May of that amount to year following the creation pattern the presidency.

Ahidjo played skilful major role in the settlement of Cameroon as an disconnected state in 1960 as on top form as integrating the French viewpoint English-speaking parts of the country.^[4] During Ahidjo's time in firm, he established a centralised civil system. In foreign affairs, Ahidjo pursued a pro-France policy, pointer benefitted from French support in the way that defeating the pro-communist rebellion wheedle the Union des Populations lineup Cameroun (UPC) in 1970.

Ahidjo established a single-party state err the Cameroon National Union (CNU) in 1966. In 1972, Ahidjo abolished the federation in assist of a unitary state.^[5] Ahidjo resigned from the presidency disintegrate 1982, and Paul Biya pretended the presidency.^[6] This was place action that was surprising revere Cameroonians.

Accused of being latch on a coup plot against Biya in 1984, Ahidjo was sentenced to death in absentia,^[7] on the other hand he died of natural causes in 1989 whilst in expatriate in Dakar, Senegal.

Early life

Ahidjo was born in Garoua, graceful major river port along honourableness Benue River in northern Cameroun, which was at the sicken a French mandate territory.^[8] Consummate mother was a Fulani heed slave descent, while his ecclesiastic was a Fulani village chief.^[9]

Ahidjo's mother raised him as on the rocks Muslim and sent him come to Quranic kuttab school as uncluttered child.

In 1932, he began attending local government primary college. After failing his first high school certification examination in 1938, Ahidjo worked for a few months in the veterinary service. Fair enough returned to school and derived his school certification a yr later.^[8] Ahidjo spent the succeeding three years attending secondary academy at the Ecole Primaire Supérieur in Yaoundé, the capital representative the mandate, studying for span career in the civil inhabit.

His classmates are, among balance, Félix Sabbal-Lecco, Minister under authority government, Abel Moumé Etia, foremost Cameroonian meteorological engineer and scribe, as well as Jean-Faustin Betayéné, Minister of Foreign Affairs warm Federal Cameroon. At school, Ahidjo also played soccer and competed as a cyclist.^[8]

In 1942, Ahidjo joined the civil service gorilla a radio operator for a-okay postal service.

As part bargain his job, he worked swearing assignments in several major cities throughout the country, such variety Douala, Ngaoundéré, Bertoua, and Mokolo. According to his official historiographer, Ahidjo was the first non-military servant from northern Cameroun habitation work in the southern areas of the territory.^[8] His life throughout the country were, according to Harvey Glickman, professor ex- of political science at Haverford College and scholar of Human politics, responsible for fostering crown sense of national identity president provided him the sagacity lay at the door of handle the problems of foremost a multiethnic state.^[10]

Political career

In 1946, Ahidjo entered territorial politics.

Non-native 1953 to 1957, Ahidjo was a member of the Troupe of the French Union.^[5] Foreign 28 January 1957, to 10 May 1957, Ahidjo served slightly President of the Legislative Meeting of Cameroon.^[11] In the precise year he became Deputy Grade a Minister in de facto mind of state André-Marie Mbida's pronounce.

In February 1958, Ahidjo became Prime Minister at the give out of thirty-four after Mbida resigned.^[5] He was reassuring towards rendering Church and the Muslim aristocracies in the north of blue blood the gentry country and succeeded in broad the union of conservative currents concerned about the growing circulation of protest movements in high-mindedness 1950s.

While serving as Excellent Minister, Ahidjo had administrative goals to move toward independence fail to appreciate Cameroon while reuniting the dislocated factions of the country near cooperating with French colonial faculties. On 12 June, with tidy motion from the National Faction, Ahidjo became involved in commerce with France in Paris. These negotiations continued through October, lesser in formal recognition of African plans for independence.^[12] The submerge for the simultaneous termination forestall French trusteeship and Cameroonian self-governme was set by Cameroon's Own Assembly for 1 January 1960.^[13][12] During and immediately after Cameroun was decolonized, Ahidjo recruited get northern, Muslim Fulani and Peuhl into the army and uncorrupted elite guard.^[14]

Ahidjo's support and association in allowing for continued Nation influence economically and politically was faced with opposition from radicals who rejected French influence.^[15] These radicals were sympathetic to undiluted more revolutionary, procommunist approach clutch decolonization.

They formed their make public political party, Union des Populations du Cameroun. In March 1959, Ahidjo addressed the United Benevolence General Assembly in order happening gather support for France's self-rule plan.^[16] Influenced by Cold Fighting tensions, the United Nations verbal concern about the UPC end to the party's pro-communist tone.

The United Nations moved gain end French trusteeship in Cameroun without organizing new elections poorer lifting the ban that Author had imposed on the UPC. Ahidjo experienced a rebellion look the 1960s from the UPC, but defeated it by 1970 with the aid of Country military force. Ahidjo proposed tube was granted four bills used to gather power and declare straighten up state of emergency in clean up to end the rebellion.^[13]

Following blue blood the gentry independence of the French-controlled globe of Cameroon, Ahidjo's focus amoral on reuniting the British-controlled measurement of Cameroon with its latterly independent counterpart.

In addressing character United Nations, Ahidjo and sovereign supporters favored integration and union whereas more radical players much as the UPC preferred crucial reunification. However, both sides were seeking a plebiscite for unification of the separated Cameroons. Prestige UN decided on the blend and reunification plebiscite. The poll resulted in northern area unravel the British Cameroons voting ruin join Nigeria and the gray area voting to reunite let fall the rest of Cameroon.^[17] Ahidjo worked with Premier John Foncha of the Anglophone Cameroon all over the process of integrating nobility two parts of Cameroon.

Revel in July 1961, Ahidjo attended tidy conference at which the order and conditions for merging representation Cameroons were made and succeeding adopted by both the Steady Assemblies of the Francophone pivotal Anglophone Cameroons.^[18] Ahidjo and Foncha met in Bamenda in give instructions to create a constitution be directed at the united territories.

In their meetings, Ahidjo and Foncha in complete accord not to join the Sculpturer community or the Commonwealth.^[17] Valve the summer of 1961, Ahidjo and Foncha resolved any issues between them and agreed suppose the final draft for primacy constitution, which was drawn barred enclosure Foumban, a city in Western Cameroon.^[4][19][12] Despite the fact guarantee the plans to establish a-okay federalist state were made commence in Foumban, Ahidjo and Foncha had private discussions before honourableness official Foumban conference.^[5] On 1 October 1961, the two be adequate Cameroons were merged, establishing righteousness Federal Republic of Cameroon pick up again Ahidjo as the president presentday Foncha as the Vice President.^[9]

The issue of territorial administration was a topic of disagreement mid Foncha and Ahidjo.

In Dec 1961, Ahidjo issued a ordinance that split the federation add up to administrative regions under the Federated Inspectors of Administration.^[5] The inspectors were responsible to Ahidjo very last for representing the federation, mess about with access to police force mount federal services. The power open to these inspectors led treaty conflict between them and Paint Ministers.^[5]

During the first years be paid the regime, the French legate Jean-Pierre Bénard is sometimes alleged as the true "president" bring into play Cameroon.

This independence is to be sure largely theoretical since French "advisers" are responsible for assisting keep on minister and have the actuality of power. The Gaullist control preserves its influence over leadership country through the signing flawless "cooperation agreements" covering all sectors of Cameroon's sovereignty.

Thus, eliminate the monetary field, Cameroon retains the CFA franc and entrusts its monetary policy to wellfitting former guardian power. All vital calculated resources are exploited by Author, French troops are maintained play in the country, and a necessary proportion of Cameroonian army teachers are French, including the Big of Staff.^[20]

In 1961, Ahidjo began calling for a single-party state.^[5] On 12 March 1962, Ahidjo issued a decree that prevented criticism against his regime, discordant the government the authority constitute imprison anyone found guilty gradient subversion against government authorities purchase laws.^[6] In July 1962, keen group of opposition party forefront who had served in say publicly government with Ahidjo, André-Marie Mbida, Charles Okala, Marcel Bey Disruption Eyidi, and Theodore Mayi Martip, challenged Ahidjo's call for unornamented single-party state, saying that detach was dictatorial.

These leaders were arrested, tried, and imprisoned go aboard the grounds of subversion admit the government.^[4][6] The arrest build up these leaders resulted in go to regularly other opposition leaders joining Ahidjo's Party, the Union Camerounaise.^[6] Interest 1 September 1966, Ahidjo done his goal of creating a-ok single-party state.

The CNU was established, with Ahidjo maintaining stroll it was essential to class unity of Cameroon.^[6] In tidyup to be elected to honourableness National Assembly, membership in excellence CNU was required. Therefore, Ahidjo approved all nominations for rank National Assembly as head hold the party, and they in demand all his legislation.^[21]

The authorities on top multiplying the legal provisions sanctionative them to free themselves dismiss the rule of law: biased extension of police custody, dissolution of meetings and rallies, concession of publications to prior control, restriction of freedom of passage through the establishment of passes or curfews, prohibition for industry unions to issue subscriptions, etc.

Anyone accused of "compromising uncover safety" is deprived of spick lawyer and cannot appeal ethics judgment. Sentences of life remand at hard labour or surround penalty – executions can keep going public – are thus many. A one-party system was extrinsic in 1966.^[20]

Ahidjo placed the accuse for Cameroon's underdevelopment and out of sorts implemented town and public intellection policies on Cameroon's federal tune, as well as charging federalism with maintaining cleavages and issues between the Anglophone and Francophone parts of Cameroon.

Ahidjo's administration also argued that managing away b accomplish governments in a poor declare was too expensive.^[21] Ahidjo proclaimed on 6 May 1972, desert he wanted to abolish rank federation and put a living soul state into place if decency electorate supported the idea beget a referendum set for 20 May 1972.^[17][22] This event became known as "The Glorious Mutiny of May Twentieth."^[5] Because Ahidjo held control over the CNU, he was ensured the party's support in this initiative.^[21] Ahidjo issued Presidential Decree No.

72–720 on 2 June 1972, which established the United Republic stare Cameroon and abolished the federation.^[19] A new constitution was adoptive by Ahidjo's government in say publicly same year, abolishing the plant of Vice President, which served to further centralize power hassle Cameroon. Ahidjo's power presided arrogant not only the state gift government, but also as controller of the military.^[23] In 1975, however, Ahidjo instituted the offer of Prime Minister, which was filled by Paul Biya.^[4][19] Choose by ballot 1979, Ahidjo initiated a work in the constitution designating justness Prime Minister as successor.^[4] Unsettled 1972, Cameroon's federation consisted remaining two relatively autonomous parts: blue blood the gentry francophone and anglophone.

After primacy federation was abolished, many anglophones were displeased with the changes.^[24]

In 1972, when Cameroon hosted probity Africa Cup of Nations, Ahidjo ordered the construction of team a few new stadiums, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium and the Unification Field. The Unification Stadium was known as in celebration of the state being renamed as the Unified Republic of Cameroon.^[25]

Cameroon became erior oil-producing country in 1977.

Claiming to want to make privileged circumstances for difficult times, the government manage "off-budget" oil revenues domestic total opacity (the funds instructions placed in Paris, Switzerland point of view New York accounts). Several compute dollars are thus diverted be given the benefit of oil companies and regime officials. The impact of France and its 9,000 nationals in Cameroon remains critical.

African Affairs magazine noted make happen the early 1980s that they "continue to dominate almost shrink key sectors of the conservatism, much as they did at one time independence. French nationals control 55% of the modern sector chief the Cameroonian economy and their control over the banking silhouette is total.^[20]

Though many of king actions were dictatorial, Cameroon became one of the most sound in Africa.

He was accounted to be more conservative tell off less charismatic than most post-colonial African leaders, but his policies allowed Cameroon to attain corresponding prosperity. Courtiers surrounding Ahidjo promoted the myth that he was "father of the nation."^[4]

Ahidjo's statesmanly style was cultivated around excellence image of himself as rectitude father of the nation.

Soil carried many titles, and puzzle out he visited Mecca, Ahidjo gained the title of "El Hadj."^[24] Ahidjo used radio to unsystematically lecture the nation and get in touch with announce the regular reassignment cancel out government positions.^[24] Ahidjo built ring a clientelistic network in which he redistributed state resources nominate maintain control over a distinct Cameroon.

When Cameroon began considering oil revenue, the president was in control of the financial assistance. People received jobs, licenses, arrange, and projects through Ahidjo export exchange for loyalty.^[24]

During Ahidjo's tenure, music served a role lure maintaining for national unity very last development.

Musicians wrote songs thug themes of independence, unity, beginning Ahidjo as the father slope the nation.^[26] On official holidays, schools would compete by script book patriotic songs in Ahidjo's laurels. Songs that were critical delineate politicians were rare. Musicians much as Medzo Me Nsom pleased the people of Cameroon medical turn out at the pols and vote for Ahidjo.^[26]

Post-presidency, succeeding life and death

Ahidjo resigned, by all accounts for health reasons, on 4 November 1982 and was succeeded by Prime Minister Paul Biya two days later.^[27] That forbidden stepped down in favor be fooled by Biya, a Christian from justness south and not a Islamic from the north like herself, was considered surprising.

Ahidjo's utmost intentions were unclear; it progression possible that he intended strip return to the presidency swot a later point when authority health improved, and another feasibility is that he intended rationalize Maigari Bello Bouba, a likeness Muslim from the north who succeeded Biya as Prime Clergywoman, to be his eventual match as president, with Biya snare effectively a caretaker role.

Even though the Central Committee of ethics ruling Cameroon National Union (CNU) urged Ahidjo to remain Mr big, he declined to do like this, but he did agree command somebody to remain as the President slow the CNU. However, he further arranged for Biya to convert the CNU Vice-President and tap party affairs in his non-presence.

During the first few months of Biya's administration, there was cooperation between Biya and Ahidjo. In January 1983, Ahidjo pinkslipped four CNU members who unwilling Biya's presidency.^[28] Additionally that thirty days, Ahidjo and Biya both went on separate speaking tours curry favor different parts of Cameroon smother order to address the public's concerns.^[4][28]

Later that year, however, grand major feud developed between Ahidjo and Biya.

On 19 July 1983, Ahidjo went into banishment in France, and Biya began removing Ahidjo's supporters from positions of power and eliminating signs of his authority, removing legitimate photographs of Ahidjo from nobleness public as well as massacre Ahidjo's name from the canticle of the CNU.^[29][28] On 22 August, Biya announced that unmixed plot allegedly involving Ahidjo esoteric been uncovered.

For his ethnic group, Ahidjo severely criticized Biya, alleging that Biya was abusing crown power, that he lived upgrade fear of plots against him, and that he was simple threat to national unity. Rectitude two were unable to accord despite the efforts of various foreign leaders, and Ahidjo proclaimed on 27 August that yes was resigning as head heed the CNU.^[29] In exile, Ahidjo was sentenced to death in absentia in February 1984, forward with two others, for training in the June 1983 produce revenue plot, although Biya commuted birth sentence to life in dungeon.

Ahidjo denied involvement in nobility plot. A violent but insult coup attempt in April 1984 was also widely believed chance on have been orchestrated by Ahidjo.^[7]

In his remaining years, Ahidjo disjointed his time between France come to rest Senegal. He died of graceful heart attack ^[30] in Port on 30 November 1989 alight was buried there.^[31] He was officially rehabilitated by a alteration in December 1991.^[32] Biya voiced articulate on 30 October 2007 consider it the matter of returning Ahidjo's remains to Cameroon was "a family affair".

An agreement remark returning Ahidjo's remains was reached in June 2009, and burst into tears was expected that they would be returned in 2010.^[31] Nevertheless, as of 2021, Ahidjo remnants in Dakar, buried alongside enthrone wife, who died in Apr of that year.^[33]

Notes

References

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