ABSTRACT
From independence until 1982 the Cameroon was ruled by one man, Ahmadu Ahidjo. During this time Ahidjo established a highly centralized political process in which almost all power and responsibility resided in one person, the president. Centralization, coalition building, and repression were the major tactics utilized by Ahidjo to concentrate political and economic power in his office and person. Ultimately, in spite of the variety of incentives for cooperation and agreement used by Ahidjo, the stability of the regime was based on the widespread use of repression and the suppression of human rights. Ahidjo stunned the Cameroon people on November 4, 1982, by announcing that he was resigning as president of the country. Ahidjo, although giving up the presidency of the country, did not give up all of his powers, and there are clear indications that he expected to remain firmly in control, with Paul Biya as his loyal front man.
