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Cameroon’s top court on Oct. 27 declared Biya the winner of the election, with 53.66 percent of the vote, ahead of his former ally-turned-challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who scored 35.19 percent.
Cameroon’s long-time leader Paul Biya was sworn in on Thursday for a new seven-year term following his victory in last month’s presidential election, which his opposition rival has described as “a constitutional coup.”
Speaking to Parliament, the world’s oldest president promised to stay faithful to the confidence of the Cameroonian people and vowed to work for a “united, stable and prosperous” country.
The 92-year-old incumbent, who is Africa’s second-longest serving leader, took the oath of office during a session of parliament in what residents describe as the heavily militarized and partially deserted capital, Yaounde. Cameroon’s top court on Oct. 27 declared Biya the winner of the election, with 53.66 percent of the vote, ahead of his former ally-turned-challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who scored 35.19 percent.
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There were protests in several parts of Cameroon days after the Oct. 12 vote, followed by a three-day lockdown this week after Tchiroma claimed victory and alleged vote tampering. The government has confirmed that at least five people were killed during the protests, although the opposition and civil society groups claim the figures are far higher. Tchiroma insists Biya was awarded a “fraudulent” victory in the election.
