Before his death (on November 30, 1989, in Dakar, Senegal), Ahmadou Ahidjo, the first president of Cameroon, shared his regrets with Jeune Afrique.
“I took him in after his studies, bringing him into my cabinet team. At one point, I entrusted him to Mr. Eteki Mboumoua, then Minister of National Education, to serve as his chief of staff. Later, I brought him back to my office, where he was supposed to spend his entire career.
Whatever I may think today of the man and the serious error in judgment I made about him, nothing prevents me from saying that he was serious, hardworking, level-headed, and, by all appearances, devoted.
I am not unaware that his seminary classmates called him ‘Mademoiselle’ or that ministers often complained that he never made decisions on important matters if it meant taking responsibility. But I told myself that, placed in the right situation and with the weight of office, he could sincerely become the president I hoped he would be, for the greater good of Cameroon.
Since he was not from the North, was Christian, and came from a small ethnic group in the Center-South, it seemed to me that he could, more easily than others, be a unifying figure for the country. No one could then accuse me of favoring the North or monopolizing power in the hands of Northerners or those of my religion. But once in the highest office, the man quickly revealed himself as he truly was.
Upon taking power, Mr. Biya faced no greater risks than those inherent to his role, nor was he any more threatened than other heads of state. The truth, which I stated in the only declaration I made since the beginning of the break between Mr. Biya and me, was considered excessive by some.
I spoke of his paranoia about plots and assassinations. I should have called it an obsession. But since then, things have only worsened. Everyone now acknowledges that we are in the midst of true paranoia—if I may use an understatement. A genuine psychosis, in any case. Mr. Paul Biya is literally consumed by a morbid fear of losing power and, ever since he orchestrated his coup, of being assassinated. It is unfortunate because we all know what irresponsible acts such fear can drive a person to commit.
One more proof of the panic in which Mr. Biya lives is found in the constitutional reform he just enacted regarding the process for replacing the president of the Republic in case of a vacancy during a term. How can someone who was just re-elected—already president and fully exercising his office before and during the election—find it unacceptable when it applies to someone else? Why is what is acceptable for him not acceptable for another, especially for the president of the National Assembly, who is barred from running for office while serving as interim president? Because he believes he has thus protected himself against losing power and his life.
With succession no longer automatic and elections completely open, he thinks that there is no longer any incentive to overthrow him by any means. We are told these explanations come from reliable sources—his friends and advisors.
Mr. Paul Biya wants to pass himself off as a true democrat—the man who, according to his sycophants, has restored free speech and liberty to the Cameroonian people. The man with whom everyone can openly and fearlessly express their thoughts. The man under whom objective, pluralistic, and contradictory information will flourish. Bravo!
Now let’s look at the cold and glaring reality. Listen to Radio Cameroon, read the press, and tell me if you find even a diluted version of an opinion or a report that is not dictated by the authorities. Travel to Cameroon and tell me how what is happening there today corresponds to a regime of freedom.
I made two statements to the Cameroonian people. It would have been easy, simple, and honest to publish them in full and then refute specific points. Instead, they extracted a sentence or two out of context to deceive the reader or listener, leaving them unaware of my real message. Even my resignation letter as President of the UNC, addressed to party members, was not published. They simply announced that I had resigned. That’s all. One can judge the elegance and honesty of this approach.
Our so-called champion of justice, freedom, and equality hopes to fool everyone—promising one thing and doing the opposite. The false hopes he created about political parties and elections speak volumes.
He believes that with his trial, he has reassured those calling for an international arrest warrant against me. Let them not celebrate too soon. They will be disappointed.
Meanwhile, much ado is being made about the UPC—it has become a tired cliché. They throw symbolic gestures their way while simultaneously passing electoral laws that effectively eliminate them, not just from elections but from political life altogether. It seems that, after an initial moment of euphoria, the more clear-headed among them have realized the deception.
People forget—but I must remind them—that many UPC members returned to Cameroon during my time and found their place in society like any other citizen. Moumié’s father returned. Not only was he not harassed, but I even secured him a job in agriculture. I do not boast about this. I am simply restoring the truth.
Mr. Biya should reflect on the words of Abraham Lincoln: “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time. But you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”
—Daniel Essissima | Jeune Afrique
Ahmadou Ahidjo Regretted the choice of Paul Biye before his death
