Background
Charles ASSALE was born on November 4, 1911, at Ebolowa in the Ntem district of the South-Central Province.
Charles ASSALE was born on November 4, 1911, at Ebolowa in the Ntem district of the South-Central Province.
Educated at the Protestant Mission School at Foulassi, then qualified as a male nurse at the medical training centre in Ayos.
In 1935 he plunged into trade unionism and helped to found the Union des Syndicats Confederes du Cameroun (USCC). He broke away in 1951 in protest against the pro-Communist policies and founded the Union des Syndicats Autonomes du Cameroun (USAC). He entered politics in 1952 and was elected to the Territorial Assembly of Cameroon. From 1955 to 1956 he was treasurer of the Assembly.
On the formation of the first all African government in May 1957 he remained aloof in opposition with the Mouvement d’Action Nationale Camerounaise (MANC). His decision was justified in February 1958 when Ahidjo took over as Prime Minister and appointed him Minister of Finance.
Voted back into power in April 1960 at the first elections after independence, he linked his party with the Socialists to form a Progressive Group. The joint votes ensured the presidency for Ahidjo. Assale became the first Federal Prime Minister and stayed in office for five years until June 1965 when his middle- of-the-road, rather cautious administration was terminated by Ahidjo.
He stepped down from national politics to be Mayor of his hometown, Ebolowa, and remain an influential figure whose advice is still sought by Ahidjo.
His strength in the largely Roman Catholic south was essential at the time of union for Ahidjo, leader of the mainly Muslim north, to ensure national stability—and this support is still a powerful bond between the two men.