Cameroon’s 92-year-old president, Paul Biya, has officially begun his eighth term in office, cementing his status as the world’s oldest serving head of state.
Biya took the oath of office on Thursday at a solemn ceremony in Yaoundé, vowing to “continue serving the nation with commitment and humility.” His re-election, announced after last month’s polls, granted him 53.66 percent of the vote, but opposition groups and international observers have questioned the credibility of the results, citing electoral irregularities and intimidation.
Across parts of the country, opposition supporters responded with protests and “dead-city” demonstrations, leading to violent confrontations with security forces. Human rights organizations have accused the government of using excessive force to silence dissent, as several protesters were reportedly arrested or injured.
Biya’s decades-long rule has been sustained by a 2008 constitutional amendment that removed term limits, giving him the freedom to seek re-election indefinitely. Supporters credit him with maintaining political stability, while critics accuse him of entrenching authoritarianism and suppressing dissent.
In his inaugural speech, Biya called for national unity and pledged to tackle the nation’s economic and security challenges, including the ongoing Anglophone separatist conflict.
His new term underscores both his remarkable longevity in power and the growing public frustration over the lack of political renewal in Cameroon.
Written By:Subair Damilare Adebayo
