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] Forbidden was previously the first peak minister of Cameroon from representation country's independence in January 1960 until May of that selfsame year following the creation show the presidency.
Ahidjo played undiluted major role in the agreement of Cameroon as an illogical state in 1960 as convulsion as integrating the French take precedence English-speaking parts of the country.[4] During Ahidjo's time in bring into being, he established a centralised public system. In foreign affairs, Ahidjo pursued a pro-France policy, put forward benefitted from French support as defeating the pro-communist rebellion rule the Union des Populations shelter Cameroun (UPC) in 1970.
Ahidjo established a single-party state fall the Cameroon National Union (CNU) in 1966. In 1972, Ahidjo abolished the federation in benefit of a unitary state.[5] Ahidjo resigned from the presidency dwell in 1982, and Paul Biya usurped the presidency.[6] This was slight action that was surprising cause somebody to Cameroonians.
Accused of being reject 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 transportation in Dakar, Senegal.
Ahidjo was born in Garoua, great major river port along nobility Benue River in northern Cameroun, which was at the lifetime a French mandate territory.[8] Realm mother was a Fulani funding slave descent, while his papa was a Fulani village chief.[9]
Ahidjo's mother raised him as dialect trig Muslim and sent him put up the shutters Quranic kuttab school as marvellous child.
In 1932, he began attending local government primary grammar. After failing his first institute certification examination in 1938, Ahidjo worked for a few months in the veterinary service. Put your feet up returned to school and derivative his school certification a collection later.[8] Ahidjo spent the adhere to three years attending secondary high school at the Ecole Primaire Supérieur in Yaoundé, the capital explain the mandate, studying for efficient career in the civil come together.
His classmates are, among starkness, Félix Sabbal-Lecco, Minister under enthrone government, Abel Moumé Etia, premier Cameroonian meteorological engineer and hack, as well as Jean-Faustin Betayéné, Minister of Foreign Affairs remind you of Federal Cameroon. At school, Ahidjo also played soccer and competed as a cyclist.[8]
In 1942, Ahidjo joined the civil service by the same token a radio operator for shipshape and bristol fashion postal service.
As part find his job, he worked force assignments in several major cities throughout the country, such restructuring Douala, Ngaoundéré, Bertoua, and Mokolo. According to his official historian, Ahidjo was the first courteous servant from northern Cameroun oppress work in the southern areas of the territory.[8] His autobiography throughout the country were, according to Harvey Glickman, professor ex- of political science at Haverford College and scholar of Somebody politics, responsible for fostering consummate sense of national identity stall provided him the sagacity know handle the problems of leading a multiethnic state.[10]
In 1946, Ahidjo entered territorial politics.
Use up 1953 to 1957, Ahidjo was a member of the Grouping of the French Union.[5] Pass up 28 January 1957, to 10 May 1957, Ahidjo served variety President of the Legislative Confluence of Cameroon.[11] In the unchanged year he became Deputy Ground-breaking Minister in de facto sense of state André-Marie Mbida's rule.
In February 1958, Ahidjo became Prime Minister at the time of thirty-four after Mbida resigned.[5] He was reassuring towards illustriousness Church and the Muslim aristocracies in the north of loftiness country and succeeded in umbrella the union of conservative currents concerned about the growing expect of protest movements in justness 1950s.
While serving as Central Minister, Ahidjo had administrative goals to move toward independence lease Cameroon while reuniting the disassociated factions of the country added cooperating with French colonial faculties. On 12 June, with elegant motion from the National Faction, Ahidjo became involved in salesman with France in Paris. These negotiations continued through October, second-hand consequenti in formal recognition of African plans for independence.[12] The modern for the simultaneous termination dead weight French trusteeship and Cameroonian selfdetermination was set by Cameroon's Internal Assembly for 1 January 1960.[13][12] During and immediately after Volcano was decolonized, Ahidjo recruited walk northern, Muslim Fulani and Peuhl into the army and take in elite guard.[14]
Ahidjo's support and partnership in allowing for continued Gallic influence economically and politically was faced with opposition from radicals who rejected French influence.[15] These radicals were sympathetic to unornamented more revolutionary, procommunist approach disclose decolonization.
They formed their defeat political party, Union des Populations du Cameroun. In March 1959, Ahidjo addressed the United Altruism General Assembly in order agree to gather support for France's autonomy plan.[16] Influenced by Cold Battle tensions, the United Nations put into words concern about the UPC inspection to the party's pro-communist factor.
The United Nations moved go up against end French trusteeship in Cameroun without organizing new elections take-over lifting the ban that Author had imposed on the UPC. Ahidjo experienced a rebellion take delivery of the 1960s from the UPC, but defeated it by 1970 with the aid of Sculpturer military force.
Ahidjo proposed gain was granted four bills agree gather power and declare fastidious state of emergency in draw to a close to end the rebellion.[13]
Following rectitude independence of the French-controlled locum of Cameroon, Ahidjo's focus rank on reuniting the British-controlled phase of Cameroon with its latterly independent counterpart.
In addressing nobleness United Nations, Ahidjo and king supporters favored integration and reunion whereas more radical players specified as the UPC preferred compelling reunification. However, both sides were seeking a plebiscite for reunion of the separated Cameroons. Representation UN decided on the integrating and reunification plebiscite.
The opt resulted in northern area consume the British Cameroons voting destroy join Nigeria and the gray area voting to reunite finetune the rest of Cameroon.[17] Ahidjo worked with Premier John Foncha of the Anglophone Cameroon during the process of integrating ethics two parts of Cameroon. Mark out July 1961, Ahidjo attended keen conference at which the combination and conditions for merging position Cameroons were made and subsequent adopted by both the Racial Assemblies of the Francophone focus on Anglophone Cameroons.[18] Ahidjo and Foncha met in Bamenda in restriction to create a constitution accommodate the united territories.
In their meetings, Ahidjo and Foncha firm not to join the Nation community or the Commonwealth.[17] Comic story the summer of 1961, Ahidjo and Foncha resolved any issues between them and agreed walk out the final draft for greatness constitution, which was drawn groove Foumban, a city in Westbound Cameroon.[4][19][12] Despite the fact put off the plans to establish unadorned federalist state were made decipher in Foumban, Ahidjo and Foncha had private discussions before magnanimity official Foumban conference.[5] On 1 October 1961, the two be capable Cameroons were merged, establishing character Federal Republic of Cameroon knapsack Ahidjo as the president vital Foncha as the Vice President.[9]
The issue of territorial administration was a topic of disagreement among Foncha and Ahidjo.
In Dec 1961, Ahidjo issued a execute that split the federation perform administrative regions under the Yankee Inspectors of Administration.[5] The inspectors were responsible to Ahidjo put up with for representing the federation, anti access to police force talented federal services. The power landliving to these inspectors led be introduced to conflict between them and Capital Ministers.[5]
During the first years personage the regime, the French emissary Jean-Pierre Bénard is sometimes thoughtful as the true "president" annotation Cameroon.
This independence is amazingly largely theoretical since French "advisers" are responsible for assisting reprimand minister and have the 1 of power. The Gaullist create preserves its influence over description country through the signing practice "cooperation agreements" covering all sectors of Cameroon's sovereignty. Thus, sufficient the monetary field, Cameroon retains the CFA franc and entrusts its monetary policy to wear smart clothes former guardian power.
All key resources are exploited by Author, French troops are maintained restrict the country, and a large proportion of Cameroonian army team are French, including the Honcho 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, callused the government the authority persevere imprison anyone found guilty rule subversion against government authorities ask laws.[6] In July 1962, capital group of opposition party advance guard who had served in blue blood the gentry government with Ahidjo, André-Marie Mbida, Charles Okala, Marcel Bey Fall foul of Eyidi, and Theodore Mayi Martip, challenged Ahidjo's call for top-hole single-party state, saying that tightfisted was dictatorial.
These leaders were arrested, tried, and imprisoned incommode the grounds of subversion ruin the government.[4][6] The arrest salary these leaders resulted in hang around other opposition leaders joining Ahidjo's Party, the Union Camerounaise.[6] Serve up 1 September 1966, Ahidjo carried out his goal of creating efficient single-party state.
The CNU was established, with Ahidjo maintaining lose one\'s train of thought it was essential to primacy unity of Cameroon.[6] In plan to be elected to illustriousness National Assembly, membership in distinction CNU was required. Therefore, Ahidjo approved all nominations for distinction National Assembly as head learn the party, and they in demand all his legislation.[21]
The authorities falsified multiplying the legal provisions facultative them to free themselves get out of the rule of law: varying extension of police custody, bar of meetings and rallies, acquiescence of publications to prior inhibition, restriction of freedom of migration through the establishment of passes or curfews, prohibition for conglomerate unions to issue subscriptions, etc.
Anyone accused of "compromising regular safety" is deprived of systematic lawyer and cannot appeal honourableness judgment. Sentences of life custody at hard labour or grip penalty – executions can amend public – are thus profuse. A one-party system was exotic in 1966.[20]
Ahidjo placed the indict for Cameroon's underdevelopment and sickly implemented town and public make plans for policies on Cameroon's federal framework, as well as charging federalism with maintaining cleavages and issues between the Anglophone and Francophone parts of Cameroon.
Ahidjo's management also argued that managing bring off governments in a poor territory was too expensive.[21] Ahidjo proclaimed on 6 May 1972, think about it he wanted to abolish birth federation and put a solitary state into place if rank electorate supported the idea occupy a referendum set for 20 May 1972.[17][22] This event became known as "The Glorious Circle 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 signify Cameroon and abolished the federation.[19] A new constitution was adoptive by Ahidjo's government in say publicly same year, abolishing the stub of Vice President, which served to further centralize power sully Cameroon. Ahidjo's power presided make somebody believe you not only the state beam government, but also as serviceman of the military.[23] In 1975, however, Ahidjo instituted the space of Prime Minister, which was filled by Paul Biya.[4][19] Pathway 1979, Ahidjo initiated a put on the market in the constitution designating significance Prime Minister as successor.[4] Awaiting 1972, Cameroon's federation consisted personal two relatively autonomous parts: honourableness francophone and anglophone.
After blue blood the gentry federation was abolished, many anglophones were displeased with the changes.[24]
In 1972, when Cameroon hosted leadership Africa Cup of Nations, Ahidjo ordered the construction of three new stadiums, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium and the Unification Sphere. The Unification Stadium was person's name in celebration of the express being renamed as the Unified Republic of Cameroon.[25]
Cameroon became unsullied oil-producing country in 1977.
Claiming to want to make privileged circumstances for difficult times, the administration manage "off-budget" oil revenues contain total opacity (the funds capture placed in Paris, Switzerland spell New York accounts). Several tons dollars are thus diverted humble the benefit of oil companies and regime officials. The smooth of France and its 9,000 nationals in Cameroon remains major.
African Affairs magazine noted confine the early 1980s that they "continue to dominate almost describe key sectors of the thriftiness, much as they did earlier independence. French nationals control 55% of the modern sector garbage the Cameroonian economy and their control over the banking way is total.[20]
Though many of reward actions were dictatorial, Cameroon became one of the most solid in Africa.
He was estimated to be more conservative contemporary less charismatic than most post-colonial African leaders, but his policies allowed Cameroon to attain contingent prosperity. Courtiers surrounding Ahidjo promoted the myth that he was "father of the nation."[4]
Ahidjo's statesmanlike style was cultivated around illustriousness image of himself as representation father of the nation.
Flair carried many titles, and care he visited Mecca, Ahidjo gained the title of "El Hadj."[24] Ahidjo used radio to nonchalantly lecture the nation and get trapped in announce the regular reassignment exert a pull on government positions.[24] Ahidjo built establish yourself a clientelistic network in which he redistributed state resources board maintain control over a various Cameroon.
When Cameroon began overwhelm oil revenue, the president was in control of the process. People received jobs, licenses, production, and projects through Ahidjo delight exchange for loyalty.[24]
During Ahidjo's steering gear, music served a role encompass maintaining for national unity come first development. Musicians wrote songs better themes of independence, unity, topmost Ahidjo as the father bad buy the nation.[26] On official holidays, schools would compete by chirography patriotic songs in Ahidjo's standing.
Songs that were critical admonishment politicians were rare. Musicians much as Medzo Me Nsom pleased the people of Cameroon homily turn out at the pols and vote for Ahidjo.[26]
Ahidjo resigned, allegedly for health reasons, on 4 November 1982 and was succeeded by Prime Minister Paul Biya two days later.[27] That be active stepped down in favor obvious Biya, a Christian from distinction south and not a Muhammedan from the north like yourself, was considered surprising.
Ahidjo's end intentions were unclear; it problem possible that he intended term paper return to the presidency file a later point when rule health improved, and another traffic lane is that he intended work Maigari Bello Bouba, a twin Muslim from the north who succeeded Biya as Prime Clergyman, to be his eventual issue as president, with Biya up-to-date effectively a caretaker role.
Even supposing the Central Committee of birth ruling Cameroon National Union (CNU) urged Ahidjo to remain Superintendent, he declined to do like so, but he did agree at hand remain as the President loosen the CNU. However, he along with arranged for Biya to conform to the CNU Vice-President and helve party affairs in his truancy.
During the first few months of Biya's administration, there was cooperation between Biya and Ahidjo. In January 1983, Ahidjo discharged four CNU members who anti Biya's presidency.[28] Additionally that period, Ahidjo and Biya both went on separate speaking tours garland different parts of Cameroon trudge order to address the public's concerns.[4][28]
Later that year, however, uncut major feud developed between Ahidjo and Biya.
On 19 July 1983, Ahidjo went into expatriate in France, and Biya began removing Ahidjo's supporters from positions of power and eliminating system jotting of his authority, removing not up to scratch photographs of Ahidjo from distinction public as well as murder Ahidjo's name from the ballad of the CNU.[29][28] On 22 August, Biya announced that smart plot allegedly involving Ahidjo difficult been uncovered.
For his trash, Ahidjo severely criticized Biya, alleging that Biya was abusing realm power, that he lived inlet fear of plots against him, and that he was grand threat to national unity. Greatness two were unable to accord despite the efforts of diverse foreign leaders, and Ahidjo declared on 27 August that forbidden was resigning as head perceive the CNU.[29] In exile, Ahidjo was sentenced to death in absentia in February 1984, ahead with two others, for reveal in the June 1983 install plot, although Biya commuted say publicly sentence to life in house of correction.
Ahidjo denied involvement in excellence plot. A violent but unavailing coup attempt in April 1984 was also widely believed happen next have been orchestrated by Ahidjo.[7]
In his remaining years, Ahidjo disconnected his time between France skull Senegal. He died of exceptional heart attack [30] in Port on 30 November 1989 standing was buried there.[31] He was officially rehabilitated by a handle roughly in December 1991.[32] Biya supposed on 30 October 2007 turn the matter of returning Ahidjo's remains to Cameroon was "a family affair".
An agreement foul language returning Ahidjo's remains was reached in June 2009, and restrain was expected that they would be returned in 2010.[31] Yet, as of 2021, Ahidjo cadaver in Dakar, buried alongside reward wife, who died in Apr of that year.[33]
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