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Ahmadou Ahidjo
1st President of Cameroon, from 1960 to 1982 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (24 August 1924 – 30 November 1989)[1] was a Cameroonian politician who was the first president of Cameroon, holding the office from 1960 until 1982.[2][3] Ahidjo played a major role in Cameroon's independence from France as well as reuniting the French and English-speaking parts of the country.[4] 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.[5]
Ahmadou Ahidjo | |
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![]() 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 | (1924-08-24)24 August 1924 Garoua, British Cameroon |
Died | 30 November 1989(1989-11-30) (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.[6] 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,[7] but he died of natural causes in 1989.