Cameroon’s President Paul Biya has been sworn in for an eighth consecutive term, telling citizens that stability will return to the country following weeks of post-election unrest. The 92-year-old leader, who has governed since 1982, expressed condolences to families of those killed in recent protests and accused what he described as irresponsible politicians of fuelling disorder.
Addressing parliament in Yaoundé, he said that there was no benefit in pushing the country into crisis and insisted that order would be restored. Biya praised the national electoral commission, saying last month’s vote had been satisfactory, despite opposition claims of widespread irregularities.
According to the official tally, Biya secured 54 percent of the vote, while his main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, received 35 percent. Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he was the legitimate winner and has accused authorities of fraud, allegations that officials reject.
The announcement of the results prompted demonstrations in several regions, with at least 14 deaths and more than 1,200 arrests reported by the National Human Rights Commission. Some organisations have suggested that the number of casualties could be significantly higher.
In his speech, Biya commended security forces for containing the unrest but did not address accusations of excessive force. He urged citizens to move forward and work together to build what he described as a united, stable, and prosperous Cameroon. He also promised to prioritise issues affecting women and young people, and pledged renewed efforts to combat corruption and persistent security challenges.
Biya has ruled Cameroon for more than four decades, and critics say his leadership has been marked by political repression and entrenched power structures. Before the swearing-in ceremony, parts of the country experienced widespread strike action led by Tchiroma Bakary, particularly in Garoua and Douala, where his support is strong.
Tchiroma Bakary has called for international pressure on the government, urging foreign governments to impose sanctions on senior officials in response to the handling of the election and subsequent protests. The Constitutional Council previously dismissed multiple complaints challenging the vote, citing either insufficient evidence or lack of jurisdiction.
Tchiroma Bakary, once a government information minister, left Biya’s camp to challenge him for the presidency. Despite contesting the result publicly, he has not filed a formal legal appeal.
