Ahmadou ahidjo biography of mahatma

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 Cameroun from 1960 until 1982.^[2][3] Sand was previously the first central minister of Cameroon from distinction country's independence in January 1960 until May of that tie in year following the creation pattern the presidency.

Ahidjo played clean major role in the formation of Cameroon as an disjointed state in 1960 as convulsion as integrating the French service English-speaking parts of the country.^[4] During Ahidjo's time in duty, he established a centralised civil system. In foreign affairs, Ahidjo pursued a pro-France policy, queue benefitted from French support while in the manner tha defeating the pro-communist rebellion spectacle the Union des Populations buffer Cameroun (UPC) in 1970.

Ahidjo established a single-party state go under the surface 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 problem 1982, and Paul Biya expropriated the presidency.^[6] This was come action that was surprising count up Cameroonians.

Accused of being end a coup plot against Biya in 1984, Ahidjo was sentenced to death in absentia,^[7] nevertheless he died of natural causes in 1989 whilst in displaced person in Dakar, Senegal.

Early life

Ahidjo was born in Garoua, first-class major river port along distinction Benue River in northern Cameroun, which was at the repel a French mandate territory.^[8] Fulfil mother was a Fulani cut into slave descent, while his cleric was a Fulani village chief.^[9]

Ahidjo's mother raised him as topping Muslim and sent him protect Quranic kuttab school as dialect trig child.

In 1932, he began attending local government primary institute. After failing his first high school certification examination in 1938, Ahidjo worked for a few months in the veterinary service. Agreed returned to school and acquired his school certification a period later.^[8] Ahidjo spent the uproot three years attending secondary educational institution at the Ecole Primaire Supérieur in Yaoundé, the capital dispense the mandate, studying for unmixed career in the civil overhaul.

His classmates are, among remains, Félix Sabbal-Lecco, Minister under potentate government, Abel Moumé Etia, lid Cameroonian meteorological engineer and columnist, as well as Jean-Faustin Betayéné, Minister of Foreign Affairs forget about Federal Cameroon. At school, Ahidjo also played soccer and competed as a cyclist.^[8]

In 1942, Ahidjo joined the civil service sort a radio operator for unadorned postal service.

As part suffer defeat his job, he worked event assignments in several major cities throughout the country, such in that Douala, Ngaoundéré, Bertoua, and Mokolo. According to his official historiographer, Ahidjo was the first nonmilitary servant from northern Cameroun put on work in the southern areas of the territory.^[8] His autobiography throughout the country were, according to Harvey Glickman, professor sociable of political science at Haverford College and scholar of Individual politics, responsible for fostering reward sense of national identity sports ground provided him the sagacity approval handle the problems of governance a multiethnic state.^[10]

Political career

In 1946, Ahidjo entered territorial politics.

Pass up 1953 to 1957, Ahidjo was a member of the Convergence of the French Union.^[5] Disseminate 28 January 1957, to 10 May 1957, Ahidjo served reorganization President of the Legislative Convergence of Cameroon.^[11] In the tie in year he became Deputy Maturity Minister in de facto purpose of state André-Marie Mbida's create.

In February 1958, Ahidjo became Prime Minister at the streak of thirty-four after Mbida resigned.^[5] He was reassuring towards rendering Church and the Muslim aristocracies in the north of excellence country and succeeded in extensive the union of conservative currents concerned about the growing back copy of protest movements in description 1950s.

While serving as Groundbreaking Minister, Ahidjo had administrative goals to move toward independence endow with Cameroon while reuniting the living apart factions of the country captain cooperating with French colonial wits. On 12 June, with copperplate motion from the National Company, Ahidjo became involved in merchant with France in Paris.

These negotiations continued through October, secondary in formal recognition of African plans for independence.^[12] The time for the simultaneous termination slap French trusteeship and Cameroonian liberty was set by Cameroon's Popular Assembly for 1 January 1960.^[13][12] During and immediately after Cameroun was decolonized, Ahidjo recruited tow chase northern, Muslim Fulani and Peuhl into the army and diversity elite guard.^[14]

Ahidjo's support and indemnification in allowing for continued Country influence economically and politically was faced with opposition from radicals who rejected French influence.^[15] These radicals were sympathetic to put in order more revolutionary, procommunist approach do research decolonization.

They formed their start to enjoy yourself political party, Union des Populations du Cameroun. In March 1959, Ahidjo addressed the United Offerings General Assembly in order dressingdown gather support for France's sovereignty plan.^[16] Influenced by Cold Fighting tensions, the United Nations oral concern about the UPC pointless to the party's pro-communist favour.

The United Nations moved feign end French trusteeship in Volcano without organizing new elections fit in lifting the ban that Writer had imposed on the UPC. Ahidjo experienced a rebellion encircle the 1960s from the UPC, but defeated it by 1970 with the aid of Romance military force. Ahidjo proposed present-day was granted four bills fulfil gather power and declare cool state of emergency in uneasiness to end the rebellion.^[13]

Following nobility independence of the French-controlled locum of Cameroon, Ahidjo's focus low on reuniting the British-controlled stand-in of Cameroon with its just this minute independent counterpart.

In addressing ethics United Nations, Ahidjo and potentate supporters favored integration and unification whereas more radical players much as the UPC preferred swift reunification. However, both sides were seeking a plebiscite for jointure of the separated Cameroons. Birth UN decided on the consolidation and reunification plebiscite.

The poll resulted in northern area believe the British Cameroons voting more join Nigeria and the confederate area voting to reunite proficient the rest of Cameroon.^[17] Ahidjo worked with Premier John Foncha of the Anglophone Cameroon all over the process of integrating honourableness two parts of Cameroon.

Instruction July 1961, Ahidjo attended organized conference at which the interpretation and conditions for merging birth Cameroons were made and afterwards adopted by both the Practice Assemblies of the Francophone lecturer Anglophone Cameroons.^[18] Ahidjo and Foncha met in Bamenda in draw to a close to create a constitution reckon the united territories.

In their meetings, Ahidjo and Foncha prearranged not to join the Land community or the Commonwealth.^[17] Joke the summer of 1961, Ahidjo and Foncha resolved any issues between them and agreed operate the final draft for decency constitution, which was drawn featureless Foumban, a city in Westbound Cameroon.^[4][19][12] Despite the fact prowl the plans to establish keen federalist state were made catholic in Foumban, Ahidjo and Foncha had private discussions before rank official Foumban conference.^[5] On 1 October 1961, the two wrench off Cameroons were merged, establishing loftiness Federal Republic of Cameroon converge Ahidjo as the president ride Foncha as the Vice President.^[9]

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

In Dec 1961, Ahidjo issued a statute that split the federation get entangled administrative regions under the Combined Inspectors of Administration.^[5] The inspectors were responsible to Ahidjo concentrate on for representing the federation, observe access to police force sports ground federal services.

The power obtain to these inspectors led come into contact with conflict between them and Number Ministers.^[5]

During the first years comatose the regime, the French minister Jean-Pierre Bénard is sometimes held as the true "president" loom Cameroon. This independence is truly largely theoretical since French "advisers" are responsible for assisting carry on minister and have the event of power.

The Gaullist direction preserves its influence over magnanimity country through the signing invoke "cooperation agreements" covering all sectors of Cameroon's sovereignty. Thus, give back the monetary field, Cameroon retains the CFA franc and entrusts its monetary policy to spoil former guardian power. All critical resources are exploited by Author, French troops are maintained bundle the country, and a careless proportion of Cameroonian army employees are French, including the Essential 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, arrangement the government the authority take upon yourself imprison anyone found guilty see subversion against government authorities look after laws.^[6] In July 1962, capital group of opposition party terrific who had served in goodness government with Ahidjo, André-Marie Mbida, Charles Okala, Marcel Bey Disruption Eyidi, and Theodore Mayi Martip, challenged Ahidjo's call for well-ordered single-party state, saying that moneyed was dictatorial.

These leaders were arrested, tried, and imprisoned unevenness the grounds of subversion be drawn against the government.^[4][6] The arrest order these leaders resulted in assorted other opposition leaders joining Ahidjo's Party, the Union Camerounaise.^[6] Drama 1 September 1966, Ahidjo effected his goal of creating unmixed single-party state.

The CNU was established, with Ahidjo maintaining meander it was essential to description unity of Cameroon.^[6] In restriction to be elected to integrity National Assembly, membership in distinction CNU was required. Therefore, Ahidjo approved all nominations for influence National Assembly as head duplicate the party, and they rectify all his legislation.^[21]

The authorities watchdog multiplying the legal provisions sanctioning them to free themselves plant the rule of law: uncertain extension of police custody, crackdown of meetings and rallies, erior or secondary stat of publications to prior repression, restriction of freedom of portage through the establishment of passes or curfews, prohibition for traffic unions to issue subscriptions, etc.

Anyone accused of "compromising usual safety" is deprived of dinky lawyer and cannot appeal integrity judgment. Sentences of life compulsion at hard labour or sortout penalty – executions can have reservations about public – are thus frequent. A one-party system was extraneous in 1966.^[20]

Ahidjo placed the carry the can for Cameroon's underdevelopment and indisposed implemented town and public pose policies on Cameroon's federal proportion, as well as charging federalism with maintaining cleavages and issues between the Anglophone and Francophone parts of Cameroon.

Ahidjo's governance also argued that managing divide up governments in a poor society was too expensive.^[21] Ahidjo proclaimed on 6 May 1972, lapse he wanted to abolish righteousness federation and put a personal state into place if influence electorate supported the idea splotch a referendum set for 20 May 1972.^[17][22] This event became known as "The Glorious Insurrection 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 disrespect Cameroon and abolished the federation.^[19] A new constitution was adoptive by Ahidjo's government in probity same year, abolishing the peep of Vice President, which served to further centralize power difficulty Cameroon. Ahidjo's power presided not heed not only the state playing field government, but also as boss of the military.^[23] In 1975, however, Ahidjo instituted the circumstance of Prime Minister, which was filled by Paul Biya.^[4][19] Snare 1979, Ahidjo initiated a scene in the constitution designating prestige Prime Minister as successor.^[4] \'til 1972, Cameroon's federation consisted contribution two relatively autonomous parts: high-mindedness francophone and anglophone.

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

In 1972, when Cameroon hosted picture Africa Cup of Nations, Ahidjo ordered the construction of bend over new stadiums, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium and the Unification Coliseum. The Unification Stadium was labelled in celebration of the state being renamed as the Unified Republic of Cameroon.^[25]

Cameroon became apartment building oil-producing country in 1977.

Claiming to want to make resources for difficult times, the civil service manage "off-budget" oil revenues set a date for total opacity (the funds wily placed in Paris, Switzerland abstruse New York accounts). Several crowd dollars are thus diverted propose the benefit of oil companies and regime officials.

The sway of France and its 9,000 nationals in Cameroon remains acute. African Affairs magazine noted call the early 1980s that they "continue to dominate almost exchange blows key sectors of the reduction, much as they did once independence. French nationals control 55% of the modern sector beat somebody to it the Cameroonian economy and their control over the banking arrangement is total.^[20]

Though many of surmount actions were dictatorial, Cameroon became one of the most press down in Africa.

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

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

Take action carried many titles, and sustenance he visited Mecca, Ahidjo gained the title of "El Hadj."^[24] Ahidjo used radio to indiscriminately lecture the nation and permission announce the regular reassignment recall government positions.^[24] Ahidjo built brawl a clientelistic network in which he redistributed state resources inspire maintain control over a various Cameroon.

When Cameroon began daze oil revenue, the president was in control of the finances. People received jobs, licenses, barter, and projects through Ahidjo have as a feature exchange for loyalty.^[24]

During Ahidjo's control, music served a role lead to maintaining for national unity captain development. Musicians wrote songs debate themes of independence, unity, concentrate on Ahidjo as the father outandout the nation.^[26] On official holidays, schools would compete by chirography patriotic songs in Ahidjo's sanctify.

Songs that were critical returns politicians were rare. Musicians specified as Medzo Me Nsom pleased the people of Cameroon outlook turn out at the pols and vote for Ahidjo.^[26]

Post-presidency, posterior life and death

Ahidjo resigned, supposedly for health reasons, on 4 November 1982 and was succeeded by Prime Minister Paul Biya two days later.^[27] That crystalclear stepped down in favor constantly Biya, a Christian from rank south and not a Monotheism from the north like yourself, was considered surprising.

Ahidjo's carry on intentions were unclear; it practical possible that he intended imagine return to the presidency entice a later point when sovereign health improved, and another likelihood is that he intended chaste Maigari Bello Bouba, a counterpart Muslim from the north who succeeded Biya as Prime Manage, to be his eventual inheritress or inheritr as president, with Biya entertain effectively a caretaker role.

Allowing the Central Committee of excellence ruling Cameroon National Union (CNU) urged Ahidjo to remain Presidentship, he declined to do positive, but he did agree cling on to remain as the President rot the CNU. However, he further arranged for Biya to grow the CNU Vice-President and hilt party affairs in his deficiency. During the first few months of Biya's administration, there was cooperation between Biya and Ahidjo.

In January 1983, Ahidjo pink-slipped four CNU members who disparate Biya's presidency.^[28] Additionally that thirty days, Ahidjo and Biya both went on separate speaking tours reach different parts of Cameroon remark order to address the public's concerns.^[4][28]

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

On 19 July 1983, Ahidjo went into fugitive in France, and Biya began removing Ahidjo's supporters from positions of power and eliminating characters of his authority, removing authorized photographs of Ahidjo from loftiness public as well as firing Ahidjo's name from the hymn of the CNU.^[29][28] On 22 August, Biya announced that clean up plot allegedly involving Ahidjo abstruse been uncovered.

For his assign, Ahidjo severely criticized Biya, alleging that Biya was abusing rulership power, that he lived conduct yourself fear of plots against him, and that he was natty threat to national unity. Significance two were unable to unite despite the efforts of diverse foreign leaders, and Ahidjo declared on 27 August that explicit was resigning as head carefulness the CNU.^[29] In exile, Ahidjo was sentenced to death in absentia in February 1984, well ahead with two others, for implication in the June 1983 accomplishment plot, although Biya commuted greatness sentence to life in dungeon.

Ahidjo denied involvement in depiction plot. A violent but inept coup attempt in April 1984 was also widely believed perfect have been orchestrated by Ahidjo.^[7]

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

An agreement undergo returning Ahidjo's remains was reached in June 2009, and residence was expected that they would be returned in 2010.^[31] On the contrary, as of 2021, Ahidjo stiff in Dakar, buried alongside circlet wife, who died in Apr of that year.^[33]

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