YAOUNDE: Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, has been sworn in for an unprecedented eighth consecutive term, pledging to restore peace in a nation shaken by post-election violence.
According to a report on Thursday, Biya, who at 92 is the world’s oldest sitting president, used his inaugural speech to extend condolences to victims of the protests and blamed what he called irresponsible politicians for the unrest.
I can assure you, order will reign, he declared, urging calm and warning against plunging the country into further crisis.
Biya secured 54% of the votes in last month’s disputed election, defeating opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who polled 35%, according to official results released by the electoral body, Elecam.
Bakary, however, rejected the results, insisting he was the rightful winner and accusing authorities of electoral fraud an allegation the government has denied.
The announcement of the outcome triggered widespread protests across major cities, leaving at least 14 people dead and over 1,200 others arrested, according to the National Human Rights Commission. Other groups have reported higher casualty figures.
During his swearing-in ceremony at the National Assembly in Yaoundé, Biya commended security forces for restoring calm, but made no mention of the reported use of excessive force against demonstrators.
He also called on citizens to move beyond the election and work together toward a united, stable, and prosperous Cameroon, promising to prioritize issues affecting youths and women, and to intensify efforts against corruption and insecurity.
Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, when he succeeded President Ahmadou Ahidjo following his resignation.
Critics have long accused him of maintaining an authoritarian grip on power and stifling political dissent.
Ahead of his inauguration, opposition strongholds such as Garoua and Douala were crippled by a general strike called by Bakary.
The opposition leader vowed to continue his resistance until his victory was acknowledged, urging the international community to sanction Cameroonian officials over the alleged electoral fraud and crackdown on protests.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Council dismissed eight petitions challenging the election results, citing insufficient evidence of irregularities or lack of jurisdiction to overturn the outcome.
Bakary, leader of the National Salvation Front Party and a former government information minister who defected from Biya’s camp, has refused to file any additional legal challenge.
