Ahmadou Ahidjo
Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August 1924 – 30 November 1989) was a Cameroonian politician who was the first president of Cameroon, holding the office from 1960 until 1982. Ahidjo played a major role in Cameroon's independence from France as well as reuniting the French and English-speaking parts of the country. During Ahidjo's time in office, he established a centralized political system. 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.
Ahmadou Ahidjo | |
|---|---|
Ahidjo at the Catshuis in The Hague, 1979 | |
| 1st President of Cameroon | |
| In office 5 May 1960 – 6 November 1982 | |
| Vice President | John Ngu Foncha Salomon Tandeng Muna |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Paul Biya |
| 1st Prime Minister of Cameroon | |
| In office 1 January 1960 – 15 May 1960 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Charles Assalé |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 August 1924 Garoua, Cameroons |
| Died | 30 November 1989 (aged 65) Dakar, Senegal |
| Political party | CU (1958–1966) CNU (1966–1989) |
| Spouse | Germaine Ahidjo |
| Signature | |
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.