Anti-Colonial Cameroon
Across Africa, movements for independence attacked the European powers, and Cameroon was no exception. Cameroon grew tired of being divided and wanted their independence. French Cameroon was enraged by the taxes and forced labor systems imposed by the Europeans. The anger from the taxes and forced labored merged to form the anti-colonialist political parties that advocated for independence and reunification. The most recognized of these political parties is the Union of Cameroonian Peoples (UPC). The UPC included members from the various ethnic groups, and the Bloc Democratique Camerounais, which was led by Ahmadou Ahidjo. Ahidjo was one of the mos influential people while Cameroon was fighting. Ahidjo was an active member of the UPC. The UPC thought that reuniting French and British Cameroon was going to be a major factor in gaining independence from the Europeans. When the demands of the UPC were not granted, the UPC resorted to armed conflict. In May 1955, the UPC ignited a movement of violence, terror, and sabotage which sporadically continued until 1971. The estimated deaths from this struggle is somewhere between 10,000 and 80,000 people. At the same time, Ahidjo created a more conservative political part, I’Union Camerounaise. l’Union Camerounaise was successful in eliciting self-governance from France in 1958. For his valiant efforts in reuniting Cameroon, Ahidjo was appointed Prime Minister. He remained in this position until after independence. On January 1, 1960, Cameroon became an independent republic. In 1960 he was elected as President and continued to reunite different parts of the country. His persuasion and drive to unite made people follow him. He was reelected in 1965, 1970, 1975, and 1980. He gradually gained the complete dominance of his own party and outlawed all others in 1976. Ahidjo had a huge impact on the country and its people. Although many of his actions showed dictatorship, he was able to make Cameroon one of the most stable countries in Africa. He was more conservative and not as charismatic as most other post-colonial leaders. But his policies and actions allowed Cameroon to gain comparable prosperity. He ruled the country for a long period of time, but the country was not ready for his leadership to end. In November 4th 1982, he resigned from the presidency due to health complications. Nobody was clear whether he would return to the presidency, but many hoped he would. He was urged by the Cameroon National Union to remain president but he declined. Ahidjo even supported Paul Biya, his successor and current president of Cameroon, throughout his campaign. The successful emancipation of any country is a difficult journey, and no one person can do it alone. However, when activists come together, a great change can be made. There will always be rebellion, naysayers, and conflict when attempting to bring about a change, but when you consistently work toward your goal, it will be met. A broken nation who suffered from post-colonial underemployment, weak economy decency, and political transition; was transformed into a stable country. Ahmadou Ahidhjo used politics to bring together, mold, and grown a nation who was divided under European colonization.