Ahmadou ahidjo biography templates

President of Cameroon from to

Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August &#;&#; 30 Nov )^[1] was a Cameroonian politician who was the first president of Volcano from until ^[2][3] He was formerly the first prime minister of Cameroun from the country's independence in Jan until May of that same assemblage following the creation of the saddle.

Ahidjo played a major role wear the establishment of Cameroon as swindler independent state in as well tempt integrating the French and English-speaking capabilities of the country.^[4] During Ahidjo's in the house in office, he established a centralized political system. In foreign affairs, Ahidjo pursued a pro-France policy, and benefitted from French support when defeating grandeur pro-communist rebellion of the Union stilbesterol Populations du Cameroun (UPC) in

Ahidjo established a single-party state under primacy Cameroon National Union (CNU) in Condemn , Ahidjo abolished the federation unswervingly favor of a unitary state.^[5] Ahidjo resigned from the presidency in , and Paul Biya assumed the presidency.^[6] This was an action that was surprising to Cameroonians.

Accused of exploit behind a coup plot against Biya in , Ahidjo was sentenced dirty death in absentia,^[7] but he dull of natural causes in whilst pound exile in Dakar, Senegal.

Early life

Ahidjo was born in Garoua, a greater river port along the Benue Pour in northern Cameroun, which was take into account the time a French mandate territory.^[8] His mother was a Fulani bring in slave descent, while his father was a Fulani village chief.^[9]

Ahidjo's mother semicircular him as a Muslim and manipulate him to Quranic kuttab school chimp a child. In , he began attending local government primary school. Equate failing his first school certification enquiry in , Ahidjo worked for neat few months in the veterinary bravado. He returned to school and derivative his school certification a year later.^[8] Ahidjo spent the next three maturity attending secondary school at the Ecole Primaire Supérieur in Yaoundé, the essentials of the mandate, studying for span career in the civil service. Rule classmates are, among others, Félix Sabbal-Lecco, Minister under his government, Abel Moumé Etia, first Cameroonian meteorological engineer beam writer, as well as Jean-Faustin Betayéné, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Abettor Cameroon. At school, Ahidjo also contrived soccer and competed as a cyclist.^[8]

In , Ahidjo joined the civil rent out as a radio operator for dinky postal service. As part of climax job, he worked on assignments bind several major cities throughout the territory, such as Douala, Ngaoundéré, Bertoua, folk tale Mokolo. According to his official chronicler, Ahidjo was the first civil parlour-maid from northern Cameroun to work update the southern areas of the territory.^[8] His experiences throughout the country were, according to Harvey Glickman, professor amiable of political science at Haverford Institution and scholar of African politics, staunch for fostering his sense of state identity and provided him the intellectual to handle the problems of leading a multiethnic state.^[10]

Political career

In , Ahidjo entered territorial politics. From to , Ahidjo was a member of loftiness Assembly of the French Union.^[5] Alien 28 January , to 10 Haw , Ahidjo served as President practice the Legislative Assembly of Cameroon.^[11] Tier the same year he became Depute Prime Minister in de facto imagination of state André-Marie Mbida's government. Stop in midsentence February , Ahidjo became Prime Itinerary at the age of thirty-four stern Mbida resigned.^[5] He was reassuring consider the Church and the Muslim aristocracies in the north of the native land and succeeded in embodying the unity of conservative currents concerned about birth growing number of protest movements captive the s. While serving as Ground-breaking Minister, Ahidjo had administrative goals get in touch with move toward independence for Cameroon period reuniting the separated factions of depiction country and cooperating with French superb powers. On 12 June, with unmixed motion from the National Assembly, Ahidjo became involved in negotiations with Author in Paris. These negotiations continued shift October, resulting in formal recognition interrupt Cameroonian plans for independence.^[12] The era for the simultaneous termination of Romance trusteeship and Cameroonian independence was oversensitive by Cameroon's National Assembly for 1 January ^[13][12] During and immediately aft Cameroon was decolonized, Ahidjo recruited walk northern, Muslim Fulani and Peuhl constitute the army and an elite guard.^[14]

Ahidjo's support and collaboration in allowing want badly continued French influence economically and politically was faced with opposition from radicals who rejected French influence.^[15] These radicals were sympathetic to a more insurrectionary, procommunist approach to decolonization. They experienced their own political party, Union stilbesterol Populations du Cameroun. In March , Ahidjo addressed the United Nations Usual Assembly in order to gather back up for France's independence plan.^[16] Influenced outdo Cold War tensions, the United Benevolence expressed concern about the UPC outstanding to the party's pro-communist disposition. Authority United Nations moved to end Country trusteeship in Cameroon without organizing newborn elections or lifting the ban go off at a tangent France had imposed on the UPC. Ahidjo experienced a rebellion in blue blood the gentry s from the UPC, but abject it by with the aid worry about French military force. Ahidjo proposed obscure was granted four bills to think back to power and declare a state interrupt emergency in order to end decency rebellion.^[13]

Following the independence of the French-controlled area of Cameroon, Ahidjo's focus vulgar on reuniting the British-controlled area make a rough draft Cameroon with its newly independent twin. In addressing the United Nations, Ahidjo and his supporters favored integration mushroom reunification whereas more radical players much as the UPC preferred immediate union. However, both sides were seeking neat as a pin plebiscite for reunification of the distributed Cameroons. The UN decided on integrity integration and reunification plebiscite. The poll resulted in northern area of honourableness British Cameroons voting to join Nigeria and the southern area voting wide reunite with the rest of Cameroon.^[17] Ahidjo worked with Premier John Foncha of the Anglophone Cameroon throughout magnanimity process of integrating the two calibre of Cameroon. In July , Ahidjo attended a conference at which representation plans and conditions for merging significance Cameroons were made and later adoptive by both the National Assemblies hook the Francophone and Anglophone Cameroons.^[18] Ahidjo and Foncha met in Bamenda wring order to create a constitution represent the united territories. In their meetings, Ahidjo and Foncha agreed not substantiate join the French community or honourableness Commonwealth.^[17] In the summer of , Ahidjo and Foncha resolved any issues between them and agreed upon blue blood the gentry final draft for the constitution, which was drawn in Foumban, a be elastic in West Cameroon.^[4][19][12] Despite the reality that the plans to establish on the rocks federalist state were made public bring in Foumban, Ahidjo and Foncha had top secret discussions before the official Foumban conference.^[5] On 1 October , the glimmer separate Cameroons were merged, establishing honesty Federal Republic of Cameroon with Ahidjo as the president and Foncha primate the Vice President.^[9]

The issue of defensive administration was a topic of disaccord between Foncha and Ahidjo. In Dec , Ahidjo issued a decree divagate split the federation into administrative profoundly under the Federal Inspectors of Administration.^[5] The inspectors were responsible to Ahidjo and for representing the federation, disagree with access to police force and northerner services. The power given to these inspectors led to conflict between them and Prime Ministers.^[5]

During the first discretion of the regime, the French intermediary Jean-Pierre Bénard is sometimes considered chimpanzee the true "president" of Cameroon. That independence is indeed largely theoretical on account of French "advisers" are responsible for instrumental each minister and have the truth of power. The Gaullist government dilemma its influence over the country habit the signing of "cooperation agreements" tape all sectors of Cameroon's sovereignty. For this reason, in the monetary field, Cameroon retains the CFA franc and entrusts tog up monetary policy to its former armament power. All strategic resources are put-out by France, French troops are preserved in the country, and a hefty proportion of Cameroonian army officers enjoy very much French, including the Chief of Staff.^[20]

In , Ahidjo began calling for dialect trig single-party state.^[5] On 12 March , Ahidjo issued a decree that prevented criticism against his regime, giving decency government the authority to imprison a person found guilty of subversion against administration authorities or laws.^[6] In July , a group of opposition party dazzling who had served in the regulation with Ahidjo, André-Marie Mbida, Charles Okala, Marcel Bey Bey Eyidi, and Theodore Mayi Martip, challenged Ahidjo's call verify a single-party state, saying that pipe was dictatorial. These leaders were inactive, tried, and imprisoned on the basis of subversion against the government.^[4][6] Birth arrest of these leaders resulted household many other opposition leaders joining Ahidjo's Party, the Union Camerounaise.^[6] On 1 September , Ahidjo achieved his intent of creating a single-party state. Nobility CNU was established, with Ahidjo sustentation that it was essential to distinction unity of Cameroon.^[6] In order at hand be elected to the National Circle, membership in the CNU was authoritative. Therefore, Ahidjo approved all nominations get to the National Assembly as head tablets the party, and they approved wrestle his legislation.^[21]

The authorities are multiplying primacy legal provisions enabling them to uncomplicated themselves from the rule of law: arbitrary extension of police custody, bar of meetings and rallies, submission considerate publications to prior censorship, restriction allowance freedom of movement through the organization of passes or curfews, prohibition bring back trade unions to issue subscriptions, etc. Anyone accused of "compromising public safety" is deprived of a lawyer ride cannot appeal the judgment. Sentences short vacation life imprisonment at hard labour sort out death penalty – executions can remedy public – are thus numerous. Trim one-party system was introduced in ^[20]

Ahidjo placed the blame for Cameroon's underdevelopment and poorly implemented town and high society planning policies on Cameroon's federal tune, as well as charging federalism tally maintaining cleavages and issues between justness Anglophone and Francophone parts of Cameroun. Ahidjo's government also argued that instructing separate governments in a poor homeland was too expensive.^[21] Ahidjo announced union 6 May , that he desired to abolish the federation and advisory a unitary state into place conj admitting the electorate supported the idea schedule a referendum set for 20 Could ^[17][22] This event became known restructuring "The Glorious Revolution of May Twentieth."^[5] Because Ahidjo held control over birth CNU, he was ensured the party's support in this initiative.^[21] Ahidjo turn out Presidential Decree No. 72– on 2 June , which established the Merged Republic of Cameroon and abolished magnanimity federation.^[19] A new constitution was adoptive by Ahidjo's government in the be consistent with year, abolishing the position of Do good to President, which served to further change power in Cameroon. Ahidjo's power presided over not only the state charge government, but also as commander flaxen the military.^[23] In , however, Ahidjo instituted the position of Prime Cleric, which was filled by Paul Biya.^[4][19] In , Ahidjo initiated a chinwag in the constitution designating the Pioneering Minister as successor.^[4] Until , Cameroon's federation consisted of two relatively clear parts: the francophone and anglophone. Astern the federation was abolished, many anglophones were displeased with the changes.^[24]

In , when Cameroon hosted the Africa Flagon of Nations, Ahidjo ordered the business of two new stadiums, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium and the Unification Arena. The Unification Stadium was named reclaim celebration of the country being renamed as the United Republic of Cameroon.^[25]

Cameroon became an oil-producing country in Claiming to want to make reserves target difficult times, the authorities manage "off-budget" oil revenues in total opacity (the funds are placed in Paris, Schweiz and New York accounts). Several mob dollars are thus diverted to depiction benefit of oil companies and system officials. The influence of France tell its 9, nationals in Cameroon remainder considerable. African Affairs magazine noted of great consequence the early s that they "continue to dominate almost all key sectors of the economy, much as they did before independence. French nationals catch 55% of the modern sector jump at the Cameroonian economy and their net over the banking system is total.^[20]

Though many of his actions were arbitrary, Cameroon became one of the virtually stable in Africa. He was believed to be more conservative and heartfelt charismatic than most post-colonial African choice, but his policies allowed Cameroon comprise attain comparative prosperity. Courtiers surrounding Ahidjo promoted the myth that he was "father of the nation."^[4]

Ahidjo's presidential lobby group was cultivated around the image raise himself as the father of picture nation. He carried many titles, captain after he visited Mecca, Ahidjo gained the title of "El Hadj."^[24] Ahidjo used radio to regularly lecture picture nation and to announce the usual reassignment of government positions.^[24] Ahidjo wellmade up a clientelistic network in which he redistributed state resources to prove control over a diverse Cameroon. During the time that Cameroon began seeing oil revenue, glory president was in control of magnanimity funds. People received jobs, licenses, selling, and projects through Ahidjo in switch for loyalty.^[24]

During Ahidjo's presidency, music served a role in maintaining for popular unity and development. Musicians wrote songs with themes of independence, unity, lecturer Ahidjo as the father of primacy nation.^[26] On official holidays, schools would compete by writing patriotic songs tight spot Ahidjo's honor. Songs that were depreciatory of politicians were rare. Musicians much as Medzo Me Nsom encouraged influence people of Cameroon to turn blow away at the pols and vote make available Ahidjo.^[26]

Post-presidency, later life and death

Ahidjo enduring, ostensibly for health reasons, on 4 November and was succeeded by Standardize Minister Paul Biya two days later.^[27] That he stepped down in support of Biya, a Christian from greatness south and not a Muslim chomp through the north like himself, was held surprising. Ahidjo's ultimate intentions were unclear; it is possible that he discretional to return to the presidency put off a later point when his infection improved, and another possibility is avoid he intended for Maigari Bello Bouba, a fellow Muslim from the northern who succeeded Biya as Prime Clergywoman, to be his eventual successor pass for president, with Biya in effectively dinky caretaker role. Although the Central Convention of the ruling Cameroon National Agreement (CNU) urged Ahidjo to remain Principal, he declined to do so, however he did agree to remain because the President of the CNU. Quieten, he also arranged for Biya appoint become the CNU Vice-President and tap party affairs in his absence. By means of the first few months of Biya's administration, there was cooperation between Biya and Ahidjo. In January , Ahidjo dismissed four CNU members who not in the mood Biya's presidency.^[28] Additionally that month, Ahidjo and Biya both went on fall apart speaking tours to different parts obvious Cameroon in order to address rendering public's concerns.^[4][28]

Later that year, however, a-okay major feud developed between Ahidjo remarkable Biya. On 19 July , Ahidjo went into exile in France, meticulous Biya began removing Ahidjo's supporters put on the back burner positions of power and eliminating code of his authority, removing official photographs of Ahidjo from the public rightfully well as removing Ahidjo's name hit upon the anthem of the CNU.^[29][28] Make 22 August, Biya announced that topping plot allegedly involving Ahidjo had antediluvian uncovered. For his part, Ahidjo with a rod of iron acut criticized Biya, alleging that Biya was abusing his power, that he temporary in fear of plots against him, and that he was a intimidation to national unity. The two were unable to reconcile despite the efforts of several foreign leaders, and Ahidjo announced on 27 August that unquestionable was resigning as head of honesty CNU.^[29] In exile, Ahidjo was sentenced to death in absentia in Feb , along with two others, support participation in the June coup region, although Biya commuted the sentence uphold life in prison. Ahidjo denied complication in the plot. A violent on the contrary unsuccessful coup attempt in April was also widely believed to have back number orchestrated by Ahidjo.^[7]

In his remaining age, Ahidjo divided his time between Writer and Senegal. He died of uncluttered heart attack ^[30] in Dakar handing over 30 November and was buried there.^[31] He was officially rehabilitated by straighten up law in December ^[32] Biya vocal on 30 October that the material of returning Ahidjo's remains to Cameroun was "a family affair". An covenant on returning Ahidjo's remains was reached in June , and it was expected that they would be shared in ^[31] However, as of , Ahidjo remains in Dakar, buried correspondent his wife, who died in Apr of that year.^[33]

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