Cameroon’s 92-year-old President Paul Biya has vowed to restore order across the country as he was sworn in for an eighth consecutive term following weeks of violent protests triggered by disputed election results.
In his inaugural address delivered at the parliament in Yaoundé, Biya extended condolences to victims of the unrest and blamed what he called “irresponsible politicians” for the chaos that has engulfed parts of the nation. “I can assure you, order will reign,” he declared, insisting there was no justification for plunging the country into crisis.
Biya, who is the world’s oldest serving head of state, dismissed allegations of electoral fraud, describing the recent poll as transparent and satisfactory. He praised the electoral commission, Elecam, for conducting what he called a credible process. Official results gave Biya 54% of the vote, while his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, secured 35%. Tchiroma Bakary, however, rejected the outcome, insisting he was the rightful winner and accusing the authorities of manipulating the results—claims the government has firmly denied.
The announcement of Biya’s victory sparked widespread protests across the country, leading to the deaths of at least 14 people and the arrest of more than 1,200 others, according to figures from the National Human Rights Commission. Other reports suggest the death toll may be significantly higher. Despite acknowledging the victims, Biya commended the security forces for their handling of the demonstrations, though he made no mention of the accusations of excessive use of force against civilians.
In his speech, the president declared that the election was now a closed chapter and urged citizens to unite behind him in the pursuit of a “united, stable, and prosperous” Cameroon. He pledged to prioritize the concerns of women and young people, while also promising renewed efforts to combat corruption and address ongoing security challenges that have defined his long rule.
Biya, who has governed Cameroon since taking over from President Ahmadou Ahidjo in November 1982, has long faced criticism for his authoritarian leadership style. His decades in power have been marked by allegations of political repression, electoral manipulation, and widespread corruption.
Ahead of his swearing-in, opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary had called for a nationwide strike to protest the election results, leading to major disruptions in cities such as Garoua and Douala, his key support bases. Tchiroma Bakary vowed to continue resisting until his “victory” was acknowledged, urging foreign governments to impose sanctions on Cameroonian officials over the crackdown on protesters and alleged electoral fraud.
Judges of the Constitutional Council rejected eight separate complaints challenging the election, citing either lack of sufficient evidence or jurisdictional limitations in annulling the results. Tchiroma Bakary, who leads the National Salvation Front party and previously served as information minister under Biya before breaking ranks, has refused to file a formal legal complaint, maintaining his stance that the election was rigged and that his mandate was stolen.
