Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo (1924–1989) was the first President of Cameroon, serving from 1960 to 1982. A northern Muslim, he is credited with the historic unification of French-speaking and English-speaking Cameroon. As of January 9, 2026, his legacy is being heavily revisited as Cameroon navigates a period of intense political uncertainty regarding the succession of his long-time rival, Paul Biya.
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Key Biographical Information
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Ahmadou Babatoura Ahidjo |
| Born | August 24, 1924, Garoua, Cameroon |
| Died | November 30, 1989 (Aged 65), Dakar, Senegal |
| Rule | January 1, 1960 – November 6, 1982 |
| Political Party | Cameroon National Union (CNU) (Founder) |
| Successor | Paul Biya (who has ruled ever since) |
2025–2026: The Return of the Ahidjo Name
In the last year, the memory of Ahidjo has transitioned from a historical footnote to a rallying cry for political change.
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The 2025 Election & Garoua Unrest: During the October 2025 presidential election cycle, Ahidjo’s hometown of Garoua became a flashpoint of resistance. On polling day, thousands of “Ahidjo loyalists” reportedly fought back against gendarme units, setting military vehicles on fire. The unrest was fueled by a sense of neglect in the North and a nostalgic yearning for the “stability and order” of the Ahidjo era.
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The “Badjicka” Movement: There has been a resurgence of interest in Ahidjo’s son, Mohamadou Badjicka Ahidjo. In late 2025, a political movement dubbed the “Badjikaistes” gained momentum, presenting him as a “bridge” candidate who could restore his father’s legacy of national unity. While Badjicka has been cautious, he remains a symbolic alternative to the current administration.
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Repatriation of Remains: As of January 2026, Ahmadou Ahidjo remains buried in Dakar, Senegal. Despite decades of lobbying by his family and northern elites, the Biya government has yet to allow his remains to be returned for a state funeral. Critics argue that Biya remains “haunted” by the man who once hand-picked him as his successor.
Family and Private Life
The Ahidjo family has suffered significant losses in the lead-up to 2026:
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The First Lady: Germaine Ahidjo, the former First Lady, passed away in exile in Dakar on April 20, 2021. She spent her final years campaigning tirelessly for her husband’s official rehabilitation.
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Fadimatou Ahidjo: The couple’s eldest daughter, a respected dermatologist, died in Dakar on February 21, 2023, following a heart attack. Her death was seen as a tragic milestone for a family that has lived in exile for over 40 years.
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The “Black Sheep”: Only one daughter, Aminatou Ahidjo, chose to return to Cameroon and work with the Biya administration, a move that caused a deep, publicized rift within the family.
The Dual Legacy: Unity and Autocracy
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Unification Hero: Ahidjo is celebrated for overseeing the 1961 plebiscite that unified the British Southern Cameroons with the Republic of Cameroon, creating the foundation of the modern bilingual state.
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The “Gentle” Dictator: While he built a stable and relatively prosperous country, he also established a one-party state and used a powerful security apparatus to suppress the radical UPC rebellion. He famously resigned in 1982 due to “exhaustion,” only to be sentenced to death in absentia just two years later following a failed coup attempt against his successor.