Andre-Marie Mbida was the first head of state of Cameroon. Born to an elite and powerful family in the north of his country, he enjoyed a childhood of status and high culture. Focusing on his education, the young lad enrolled in an elite school at an early age, and studied many difficult subjects. Andre then continued his education at an influential and prestigious school, where he made many valuable connections. After graduating, he worked briefly as a teacher before branching out into business. Traveling the country, he soon developed a powerful network of influential local people. Mbida then used his excellent linguistic skills to join a colonial political party. He then became the first native person from his homeland to be elected to his colonial occupier's parliament. Andre then parleyed his experience to becoming elected as the head of his homeland's quasi-independent government. After a bitter clash with the occupying power's commissioner, he resigned from his post, but remained deeply involved with domestic politics. After his country successfully gained independence, Mbida found himself on the wrong side of his former allies, and was imprisoned. Suffering grievously during his incarceration, he was released on medical grounds. Although he sought treatment abroad and clawed his way back to health, he was arrested again when he returned to his country. Mbida then succumbed to his injuries