Ahmadou Ahidjo
Ahmadou Ahidjo | |
|---|---|
Ahidjo in 1982 | |
| 1st President of Cameroon | |
| In office 5 May 1960 – 6 November 1982 | |
| Prime Minister | |
| Vice President |
|
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Paul Biya |
| 1st Prime Minister of Cameroon | |
| In office 1 January 1960 – 15 May 1960 | |
| President | Himself |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Charles Assalé |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 August 1924 Garoua, French Cameroon (now Cameroon) |
| Died | 30 November 1989 (aged 65) Dakar, Senegal |
| Political party | CU (1958–1966) CNU (1966–1985) |
| Spouse | Germaine Ahidjo |
| Signature | |
Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August 1924 – 30 November 1989) was a Cameroonian politician who was the first president of Cameroon from 1960 until 1982. He was previously the first Prime Minister from the country's independence in January 1960 until May of that same year following the creation of the presidency.
Ahidjo played a major role in the establishment of Cameroon as an independent state in 1960 as well as integrating the French and English-speaking parts of the country. During Ahidjo's time in office, he established a centralised political system. In foreign affairs, Ahidjo pursued a pro-France policy, and benefitted from French support when defeating the pro-communist rebellion of the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC) in 1970.
Ahidjo established a single-party state under the Cameroon National Union (CNU) in 1966. In 1972, Ahidjo abolished the federation in favor of a unitary state. Ahidjo resigned from the presidency in 1982, and Paul Biya assumed the presidency. This was an action that was surprising to Cameroonians.
Accused of being behind a coup plot against Biya in 1984, Ahidjo was sentenced to death in absentia, but he died of natural causes in 1989 whilst in exile in Dakar, Senegal.