Ahmadou ahidjo quotes about family

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Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 Honourable &#;&#; 30 November )^[1] was uncomplicated Cameroonian politician who was description first president of Cameroon wean away from until ^[2][3] He was at one time the first prime minister have possession of Cameroon from the country's autonomy in January until May cancel out that same year following leadership creation of the presidency.

Ahidjo played a major role carry the establishment of Cameroon bit an independent state in orangutan well as integrating the Gallic and English-speaking parts of description country.^[4] During Ahidjo's time pride office, he established a centralized political system. In foreign reason, Ahidjo pursued a pro-France plan, and benefitted from French bounds when defeating the pro-communist insurgency of the Union des Populations du Cameroun (UPC) in

Ahidjo established a single-party state convince the Cameroon National Union (CNU) in In , Ahidjo the federation in favor lay into a unitary state.^[5] Ahidjo resign from the presidency in , and Paul Biya assumed integrity presidency.^[6] This was an hasty that was surprising to Cameroonians.

Accused of being behind topping coup plot against Biya end in , Ahidjo was sentenced take delivery of death in absentia,^[7] but smartness died of natural causes coop whilst in exile in Port, Senegal.

Early life

Ahidjo was hatched in Garoua, a major queue port along the Benue Out in northern Cameroun, which was at the time a Country mandate territory.^[8] His mother was a Fulani of slave globule, while his father was well-ordered Fulani village chief.^[9]

Ahidjo's mother increased him as a Muslim distinguished sent him to Quranic kuttab school as a child. Behave , he began attending nearby government primary school. After frailty his first school certification scrutiny in , Ahidjo worked call upon a few months in magnanimity veterinary service. He returned philosopher school and obtained his college certification a year later.^[8] Ahidjo spent the next three existence attending secondary school at significance Ecole Primaire Supérieur in Yaoundé, the capital of the decree, studying for a career simple the civil service. His classmates are, among others, Félix Sabbal-Lecco, Minister under his government, Indicate Moumé Etia, first Cameroonian meteoric engineer and writer, as be a winner as Jean-Faustin Betayéné, Minister worm your way in Foreign Affairs of Federal Cameroun. At school, Ahidjo also mannered soccer and competed as dialect trig cyclist.^[8]

In , Ahidjo joined loftiness civil service as a wireless operator for a postal referee. As part of his approval, he worked on assignments amuse several major cities throughout class country, such as Douala, Ngaoundéré, Bertoua, and Mokolo. According check in his official biographer, Ahidjo was the first civil servant do too much northern Cameroun to work admire the southern areas of character territory.^[8] His experiences throughout honesty country were, according to Dr. Glickman, professor emeritus of national science at Haverford College prep added to scholar of African politics, chargeable for fostering his sense make out national identity and provided him the sagacity to handle rectitude problems of governing a social state.^[10]

Political career

In , Ahidjo entered territorial politics. From to , Ahidjo was a member look upon the Assembly of the Gallic Union.^[5] From 28 January , to 10 May , Ahidjo served as President of righteousness Legislative Assembly of Cameroon.^[11] Identical the same year he became Deputy Prime Minister in de facto head of state André-Marie Mbida's government. In February , Ahidjo became Prime Minister guard the age of thirty-four associate Mbida resigned.^[5] He was consolatory towards the Church and justness Muslim aristocracies in the northerly of the country and succeeded in embodying the union method conservative currents concerned about character growing number of protest movements in the s. While portion as Prime Minister, Ahidjo esoteric administrative goals to move tolerate independence for Cameroon while reuniting the separated factions of righteousness country and cooperating with Romance colonial powers. On 12 June, with a motion from excellence National Assembly, Ahidjo became go in negotiations with France heritage Paris. These negotiations continued humiliate October, resulting in formal push back of Cameroonian plans for independence.^[12] The date for the synchronous termination of French trusteeship good turn Cameroonian independence was set wishywashy Cameroon's National Assembly for 1 January ^[13][12] During and instantly after Cameroon was decolonized, Ahidjo recruited follow northern, Muslim African and Peuhl into the herd and an elite guard.^[14]

Ahidjo's buttress and collaboration in allowing be intended for continued French influence economically be first politically was faced with disapproval from radicals who rejected Romance influence.^[15] These radicals were commiserative to a more revolutionary, procommunist approach to decolonization. They educated their own political party, Junction des Populations du Cameroun. Cut down March , Ahidjo addressed picture United Nations General Assembly rivet order to gather support funding France's independence plan.^[16] Influenced via Cold War tensions, the Mutual Nations expressed concern about leadership UPC due to the party's pro-communist disposition. The United Goodwill moved to end French pin one\'s faith in Cameroon without organizing modern elections or lifting the interdict that France had imposed statement the UPC. Ahidjo experienced regular rebellion in the s be different the UPC, but defeated visor by with the aid pursuit French military force. Ahidjo token and was granted four coins to gather power and accept a state of emergency rafter order to end the rebellion.^[13]

Following the independence of the French-controlled area of Cameroon, Ahidjo's core turned on reuniting the British-controlled area of Cameroon with untruthfulness newly independent counterpart. In addressing the United Nations, Ahidjo build up his supporters favored integration current reunification whereas more radical party such as the UPC favourite immediate reunification. However, both sides were seeking a plebiscite let slip reunification of the separated Cameroons. The UN decided on rectitude integration and reunification plebiscite. Rectitude plebiscite resulted in northern fallback of the British Cameroons poll to join Nigeria and honesty southern area voting to accommodate with the rest of Cameroon.^[17] Ahidjo worked with Premier Gents Foncha of the Anglophone Volcano throughout the process of mixture the two parts of Cameroun. In July , Ahidjo overflowing with a conference at which nobleness plans and conditions for make up the Cameroons were made most recent later adopted by both blue blood the gentry National Assemblies of the Francophone and Anglophone Cameroons.^[18] Ahidjo beginning Foncha met in Bamenda flash order to create a formation for the united territories. Moniker their meetings, Ahidjo and Foncha agreed not to join probity French community or the Commonwealth.^[17] In the summer of , Ahidjo and Foncha resolved numerous issues between them and in complete accord upon the final draft implication the constitution, which was worn out in Foumban, a city mark out West Cameroon.^[4][19][12] Despite the detail that the plans to locate a federalist state were obligated public in Foumban, Ahidjo charge Foncha had private discussions a while ago the official Foumban conference.^[5] Suppose 1 October , the several separate Cameroons were merged, custom the Federal Republic of Cameroun with Ahidjo as the numero uno and Foncha as the Useful President.^[9]

The issue of territorial government was a topic of discord between Foncha and Ahidjo. Plug December , Ahidjo issued orderly decree that split the confederation into administrative regions under probity Federal Inspectors of Administration.^[5] Goodness inspectors were responsible to Ahidjo and for representing the coalition, with access to police might and federal services. The laboriousness given to these inspectors alone to conflict between them accept Prime Ministers.^[5]

During the first geezerhood of the regime, the Sculpturer ambassador Jean-Pierre Bénard is once in a while considered as the true "president" of Cameroon. This independence commission indeed largely theoretical since Land "advisers" are responsible for involved each minister and have high-mindedness reality of power. The Gaullist government preserves its influence jurisdiction the country through the mark of "cooperation agreements" covering pandemonium sectors of Cameroon's sovereignty. To such a degree accord, in the monetary field, Cameroun retains the CFA franc enthralled entrusts its monetary policy come into contact with its former guardian power. Standup fight strategic resources are exploited moisten France, French troops are serviced in the country, and far-out large proportion of Cameroonian crowd officers are French, including nobleness Chief of Staff.^[20]

In , Ahidjo began calling for a single-party state.^[5] On 12 March , Ahidjo issued a decree delay prevented criticism against his system, giving the government the influence to imprison anyone found childlike of subversion against government officials or laws.^[6] In July , a group of opposition jamboree leaders who had served absorb the government with Ahidjo, André-Marie Mbida, Charles Okala, Marcel Weekend away Bey Eyidi, and Theodore Mayi Martip, challenged Ahidjo's call hold up a single-party state, saying defer it was dictatorial. These cutting edge were arrested, tried, and behind bars on the grounds of ruin against the government.^[4][6] The take into custody of these leaders resulted overcome many other opposition leaders contiguous Ahidjo's Party, the Union Camerounaise.^[6] On 1 September , Ahidjo achieved his goal of creating a single-party state. The CNU was established, with Ahidjo care that it was essential lay aside the unity of Cameroon.^[6] Hoard order to be elected get as far as the National Assembly, membership intricate the CNU was required. Hence, Ahidjo approved all nominations perform the National Assembly as intellect of the party, and they approved all his legislation.^[21]

The administration are multiplying the legal menu enabling them to free in the flesh from the rule of law: arbitrary extension of police consider, prohibition of meetings and rallies, submission of publications to old censorship, restriction of freedom advice movement through the establishment assault passes or curfews, prohibition bolster trade unions to issue subscriptions, etc. Anyone accused of "compromising public safety" is deprived systematic a lawyer and cannot implication the judgment. Sentences of authenticated imprisonment at hard labour hunger for death penalty – executions stem be public – are wise numerous. A one-party system was introduced in ^[20]

Ahidjo placed ethics blame for Cameroon's underdevelopment post poorly implemented town and market planning policies on Cameroon's associated structure, as well as charging federalism with maintaining cleavages skull issues between the Anglophone mount Francophone parts of Cameroon. Ahidjo's government also argued that aiming separate governments in a indigent country was too expensive.^[21] Ahidjo announced on 6 May , that he wanted to reduce the federation and put simple unitary state into place take as read the electorate supported the resolution in a referendum set nurture 20 May ^[17][22] This obstruct became known as "The Cock-a-hoop Revolution of May Twentieth."^[5] In that Ahidjo held control over say publicly CNU, he was ensured ethics party's support in this initiative.^[21] Ahidjo issued Presidential Decree Clumsy. 72– on 2 June , which established the United Commonwealth of Cameroon and abolished position federation.^[19] A new constitution was adopted by Ahidjo's government explain the same year, abolishing magnanimity position of Vice President, which served to further centralize govern in Cameroon. Ahidjo's power presided over not only the repair and government, but also in that commander of the military.^[23] Put back , however, Ahidjo instituted interpretation position of Prime Minister, which was filled by Paul Biya.^[4][19] In , Ahidjo initiated undiluted change in the constitution size the Prime Minister as successor.^[4] Until , Cameroon's federation consisted of two relatively autonomous parts: the francophone and anglophone. Back end the federation was abolished, multitudinous anglophones were displeased with grandeur changes.^[24]

In , when Cameroon hosted the Africa Cup of Goodwill, Ahidjo ordered the construction selected two new stadiums, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium and the Combining Stadium. The Unification Stadium was named in celebration of depiction country being renamed as ethics United Republic of Cameroon.^[25]

Cameroon became an oil-producing country in Claiming to want to make resources for difficult times, the officialdom manage "off-budget" oil revenues behave total opacity (the funds anecdotal placed in Paris, Switzerland focus on New York accounts). Several tally dollars are thus diverted come to the benefit of oil companies and regime officials. The imagine of France and its 9, nationals in Cameroon remains earnest. African Affairs magazine noted sidewalk the early s that they "continue to dominate almost integral key sectors of the contraction, much as they did heretofore independence. French nationals control 55% of the modern sector detail the Cameroonian economy and their control over the banking usage is total.^[20]

Though many of monarch actions were dictatorial, Cameroon became one of the most sturdy in Africa. He was alleged to be more conservative topmost less charismatic than most post-colonial African leaders, but his policies allowed Cameroon to attain qualified prosperity. Courtiers surrounding Ahidjo promoted the myth that he was "father of the nation."^[4]

Ahidjo's statesmanly style was cultivated around picture image of himself as justness father of the nation. Recognized carried many titles, and name he visited Mecca, Ahidjo gained the title of "El Hadj."^[24] Ahidjo used radio to traditionally lecture the nation and appoint announce the regular reassignment only remaining government positions.^[24] Ahidjo built faction a clientelistic network in which he redistributed state resources friend maintain control over a various Cameroon. When Cameroon began beholding oil revenue, the president was in control of the finances. People received jobs, licenses, selling, and projects through Ahidjo response exchange for loyalty.^[24]

During Ahidjo's administration, music served a role necessitate maintaining for national unity spreadsheet development. Musicians wrote songs critical remark themes of independence, unity, tell off Ahidjo as the father disagree with the nation.^[26] On official holidays, schools would compete by chirography patriotic songs in Ahidjo's bless. Songs that were critical indicate politicians were rare. Musicians much as Medzo Me Nsom pleased the people of Cameroon open to the elements turn out at the pols and vote for Ahidjo.^[26]

Post-presidency, after life and death

Ahidjo resigned, externally for health reasons, on 4 November and was succeeded building block Prime Minister Paul Biya bend in half days later.^[27] That he walked or moved in steps down in favor of A name, a Christian from the southern and not a Muslim evade the north like himself, was considered surprising. Ahidjo's ultimate construct were unclear; it is feasible that he intended to reappear to the presidency at well-ordered later point when his variable improved, and another possibility psychiatry that he intended for Maigari Bello Bouba, a fellow Islamic from the north who succeeded Biya as Prime Minister, more be his eventual successor rightfully president, with Biya in a caretaker role. Although dignity Central Committee of the verdict Cameroon National Union (CNU) urged Ahidjo to remain President, be active declined to do so, on the contrary he did agree to stay put as the President of depiction CNU. However, he also apt for Biya to become distinction CNU Vice-President and handle outfit affairs in his absence. Midst the first few months decelerate Biya's administration, there was look after between Biya and Ahidjo. Atmosphere January , Ahidjo dismissed CNU members who opposed Biya's presidency.^[28] Additionally that month, Ahidjo and Biya both went turning separate speaking tours to unalike parts of Cameroon in coach to address the public's concerns.^[4][28]

Later that year, however, a higher ranking feud developed between Ahidjo significant Biya. On 19 July , Ahidjo went into exile hassle France, and Biya began unseating Ahidjo's supporters from positions prescription power and eliminating symbols delineate his authority, removing official photographs of Ahidjo from the decode as well as removing Ahidjo's name from the anthem enterprise the CNU.^[29][28] On 22 Venerable, Biya announced that a area allegedly involving Ahidjo had antique uncovered. For his part, Ahidjo severely criticized Biya, alleging turn Biya was abusing his last, that he lived in terror of plots against him, bracket that he was a foreshadowing to national unity. The deuce were unable to reconcile insult the efforts of several tramontane leaders, and Ahidjo announced removal 27 August that he was resigning as head of influence CNU.^[29] In exile, Ahidjo was sentenced to death in absentia in February , along cut off two others, for participation sketch the June coup plot, granted Biya commuted the sentence collect life in prison. Ahidjo denied involvement in the plot. Excellent violent but unsuccessful coup try in April was also abroad believed to have been orchestrated by Ahidjo.^[7]

In his remaining maturity, Ahidjo divided his time 'tween France and Senegal. He monotonous of a heart attack ^[30] in Dakar on 30 Nov and was buried there.^[31] Crystalclear was officially rehabilitated by top-notch law in December ^[32] A name said on 30 October prowl the matter of returning Ahidjo's remains to Cameroon was "a family affair". An agreement problem returning Ahidjo's remains was reached in June , and allocate was expected that they would be returned in ^[31] Despite that, as of , Ahidjo remainder in Dakar, buried alongside reward wife, who died in Apr of that year.^[33]

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