Ahidjo, Ahmadou (1924-1989)

Cameroonian politician, president 1960-82. He became president following the amalgamation of most of the British Cameroons with the French Cameroons in 1960, and was re-elected to that post in 1972, 1975, and 1980. After his resignation in 1982, he went into voluntary exile in France. His one-party state, although severe on the rival, but outlawed, Union des Populations Camerounaises (UPC), was relatively successful economically and less repressive than many West African states.

Ahidjo was first elected to the territorial assembly in 1947. He represented Cameroon in the Assembly of French Union from 1953 to 1957, and held various senior positions in the territorial assembly of Cameroon between 1957 and 1960.

He was born in Garoua, and educated at the Ecole Supérieure d'Administration, Yaoundé. Before entering politics he worked as a radio operator in the post office.