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Equality, Non-Interference, and Sovereignty: President Ahmadou Ahidjo and the Making of Cameroon-U.S. Relations

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 October 2021

Julius A. Amin Open the ORCID record for Julius A. Amin [Opens in a new window]
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Abstract

Scholars often dismiss the importance of local archives in the reconstruction of postcolonial African history, stating that they are superficial, unorganized, and unreliable. Amin challenges that notion and argues that those archives are central to the study of African diplomatic history. Based on extensive and previously unused documents, he argues that Cameroon’s Ahmadou Ahidjo leveraged his U.S. policy to develop his country and protect its sovereignty while maintaining a firm grip on power. This reappraisal of Ahidjo’s actions engages debates about the contours of U.S.-African foreign policy and the challenges new nations face as they navigate external relations.

Résumé

Résumé

Les chercheurs rejettent souvent l’importance des archives locales dans la reconstruction de l’histoire africaine postcoloniale, affirmant qu’elles sont superficielles, inorganisées et peu fiables. Amin conteste cette notion et affirme que ces archives sont essentielles à l’étude de l’histoire de la diplomatie africaine. En se basant sur de nombreux documents jusqu’alors inutilisés, il soutient que le Camerounais Ahmadou Ahidjo a tiré parti de la politique américaine pour développer son pays et protéger sa souveraineté tout en gardant une mainmise ferme sur le pouvoir. Cette réévaluation des actions d’Ahidjo engage des débats sur les contours de la politique étrangère américano-africaine et les défis auxquels les nouvelles nations sont confrontées lorsqu’elles naviguent dans les relations extérieures.

Resumo

Resumo

Os académicos por vezes desvalorizam a importância dos arquivos locais para a reconstrução da história pós-colonial africana, argumentando que se trata de arquivo superficiais, desorganizados e pouco fiáveis. Amin desafia esta ideia e argumenta que esses arquivos são essenciais para estudar a história da diplomacia africana. Com base num enorme acervo documental nunca antes explorado, defende que, nos Camarões, o presidente Ahmadou Ahidjo tirou o melhor partido da sua política externa face aos EUA de modo a desenvolver o seu país e a proteger a sua soberania, mantendo em simultâneo um firme controlo do poder. Esta reavaliação do desempenho de Ahidjo implica debater as características da política externa entre África e os EUA, bem como os desafios que as jovens nações enfrentam no contexto das suas relações externas.

Keywords

Ahmadou AhidjoCameroonJohn F. KennedyPeace Corpsnonintervention
Type
Article
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 64 , Issue 4 , December 2021 , pp. 826 - 853
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the African Studies Association

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