Ahmadou Ahidjo

Ahmadou Ahidjo , 1924-89, president of Cameroon (1960-82). A Muslim Fulani chief's son, he served with the French during World War II. Entering politics in the French Cameroons, he became vice premier (1957) and premier (1958) of the territory. With the Cameroon Republic's independence (1960), he was elected its first president. He also became president of the Mouvement d'Union Camerounaise, which favored continued strong ties with France. He persuaded the British-administered Southern Cameroons to unite (1961) with the Cameroon Republic in the Federal Republic of Cameroon. He was reelected president in 1965, 1970, 1975, and 1980 as the candidate of the country's sole political party. In 1972 he secured adoption of a new unitary constitution, creating the United Republic of Cameroon, although unitary government was unpopular. Retiring in 1982, he clashed with successor Paul Biya, and after an abortive coup he was convicted in absentia. He remained in France until his death.

Ahidjo, El Hadj Ahmadou (b. Aug. 1924, d. 30 Nov. 1989). Prime Minister of Cameroon 1958–60, President 1960–82 Born at Garua as the son of a chief of the Fulani people, he became a radio operator in the post office. He was elected to the French Cameroon Territorial Assembly in 1947 and became leader of the Union Camérounaise (UC). He came to represent Cameroon at the Assembly of the French Union in Paris (1953–6) and, due to André-Marie Mbida's shortcomings as Prime Minister (since 1957), succeeded him in the post in 1958, aged only 34. President after independence in 1960, he tried to create a united country through integrating all other political movements in the UC, so that dissension and conflict was internalized in the party which he controlled. He further sought to unite the country (and increase his personal control) through political centralization. The human rights violations committed by his government also contributed to the stability of the country and of his personal position. He surprised his country by retiring in 1982. His subsequent attempt to continue his influence in the political process led to a power struggle with his successor, Biya, which he lost. He retired to Senegal.