 The Germans had seen some success in uniting disparate groups under single individuals called paramount chiefs ( Oberhäuptlinge ) . Atangana was chosen for this position among the Ewondo and Bane either before his trip to Germany or soon after . This was technically only a temporary appointment ; his subjects would have to approve it a year later to make it permanent . They had little alternative ; Atangana was already the primary conduit of information to and from the Germans . 
