Elites politiques kirdi et implantation de l’Union Camerounaise (U.C.) au Nord-Cameroun (1958-1966)

Abstract

The creation of the Cameroon Union (CU) by Ahmadou Ahidjo in Garoua on 1 May 1958, takes place after the ministerial crisis that brought Ahmadou Ahidjo to the office of prime minister. The purpose of a political party being the winning and keeping of power, creating the CU therefore provided an opportunity for its founder to establish his political power. During the forming of this political movement, he faced opposition from some of the Fulani aristocracy including Lamido Yaya Dairou of Maroua. Ahmadou Ahidjo relied on the "young Turks" among whom were Kirdi elites. What is the contribution of the latter in the creation and establishment of the CU in the northern part of Cameroon? This article aims to understand the role of Kirdi elites in the strengthening of Ahmadou Ahidjo’s political power through the establishment of CU in Northern Cameroon. This study is all about the political participation of Kirdi elites to the construction of national unity.