It is November 4, 1982. It is 8 p.m. in Cameroon. Cameroonians are in front of their radio to listen to the news of the day.
Unusually, it is the national anthem of Cameroon who opens the newspaper at the national post. Surprise and concern overwhelm the listeners. It is the President of the Republic, his excellency Ahmadou Ahidjo who opens the newspaper with his thunderous voice.
On November 4, 1982, President Ahmadou Ahidjo bluntly announced to Cameroonians that he had decided to resign from his functions as President of the Republic and that this decision would take effect in two days, that is to say on November 6, 1982 at 10 a.m. .
An earthquake of undetectable magnitude has just struck Cameroon because no one expected it. Suddenly the heart of the country stops beating. In a few seconds, the country is overcome by uncertainty and doubt. Uncertainty about the future fate of the country, doubt about the President’s real desire to resign, as since independence he has reigned in an authoritarian and undivided manner over the country. In mid-1982, Ahmadou Ahidjo seemed to make up his mind.
Germaine, his wife, closely follows all the acts of a well-crafted production.
On October 29 of the same year, he went to Grasse in France for treatment and took advantage of this stay to meet Guy Penne, François Mitterrand’s “Mister Africa”. In front of him, during the meal, he swallows around ten pills and says he is overworked, at the end of his rope.
What are the two men talking about? Still, Guy Penne leaves the interview a little upset. And, on November 3, Ahidjo secretly returned to Yaoundé. At the bottom of the gateway, the protocol is reduced to the bare minimum.
The Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic, Samuel Eboua, and the Prime Minister, Paul Biya, are the only ones authorized to come and welcome him.(1)
A few moments later, Ahmadou Ahidjo summons his Prime Minister to inform him of his wish to entrust him with the reins. And wants a dare dare answer. After a moment of hesitation, he accepts.
However, Germaine Ahidjo is not a strong supporter of the man. And tries to dissuade her husband. A graduate in political science and having worked in his shadow, Paul Biya is favored by his husband’s predictions.(2)
What motivated President Ahidjo to leave power? Was it the dream of a peaceful political change that animated him? So what had happened?
Despite some analyzes in the Western media having mentioned the case of the head of state’s medical rest, no one will perhaps ever know.
On November 6, 1982, the day of the swearing-in, his speech was incisive and conquering. He intends to assert himself as president of the Republic, head of government.
After the resignation of President Ahmadou Ahidjo, the former presidential couple went to France: “Ahidjo was tired, overworked and he had memory loss. He was hospitalized in a clinic. I remember it was the day of the Roland Garos final with Yannick Noah. He told me “even if I’m sleeping you wake me up, I don’t want to miss this match” says Germaine Ahidjo to Alain Foka (Archives d’Afrique). That day, an emissary from Biya, a presidential attaché, arrived with a letter for Ahidjo.
In this letter, Biya did not even care about his health. All he said was: “You told me you would give me the party in 6 or 8 months.” I think the time has come.” Ahidjo was shocked. He estimated that on his return to Cameroon scheduled for September that year (in 1983, editor’s note), he would cede the presidency to him during an extraordinary Congress. He replied that he does not give the party (…) There is no urgency. He specified that he was going to return in September and that they would see the facilities for the transfer. And in the meantime, Biya had full powers. I was the one who posted the letter. As soon as they received the letter, then we released the plots, all kinds of things (…) Ahidjo led the country with people he thought he knew, but he knew them very little,” concluded Germaine Ahidjo ( 3)
To think that it has already been 41 years, especially since his successor is still in power.
The entire speech of Ahmadou Ahidjo to the nation, November 4, 1982
“Cameroonians, my dear compatriots,
I have decided to resign from my position as President of the Republic of Cameroon. This decision will take effect on Saturday, November 6 at 10 a.m. On this momentous occasion, I would like from the bottom of my heart to thank all those who, for almost 25 years, have placed their trust in me and provided their assistance in carrying out my heavy tasks at the head of State.
I would particularly like to thank the activists of our great national Party, the UNC, for their total, constant and unwavering support.
While there remains much to do in the great and long work of building our dear and beautiful country, we have together accomplished considerable progress in all areas after independence, Reunification and Unification.
Our country has significant assets. Consolidated national unity, numerous, varied and complementary resources, an economy in continuous expansion, healthy finances, improving social justice, a working population and dynamic youth, solid and fruitful relations of friendship and cooperation in Africa and the world.
I invite all Cameroonians to place, without reservation, their trust and to provide their support to my constitutional successor Mr. Paul Biya. He deserves the trust of everyone, inside and outside. I urge you to remain a united, patriotic, hardworking, dignified and respected people. I pray to Almighty God to continue to provide the Cameroonian people with the protection and assistance necessary for their development in peace, unity and justice.
Long live Cameroon.”
(1) and (2): Guy Faravella’s notes, Edition Libris
(3): Edmond Kamguia in LNE
