Overview
- Biya took the oath at a parliamentary session in Yaoundé under a heavy security presence, with residents describing the capital as partially deserted.
- The High Court on Oct. 27 declared him winner with 53.66% of the vote over Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s 35.19%.
- Protests and a three-day general strike followed the election, with the government confirming at least five deaths while the national rights commission reports at least 14 dead and more than 1,200 arrests.
- In his address, Biya offered condolences, vowed to restore order, blamed “irresponsible politicians” for the unrest, praised election body Elecam, and lauded security forces without addressing excessive-force complaints.
- The eighth consecutive term extends his rule that began in 1982 after term limits were removed in 2008, as conflicts in anglophone regions and the north and economic stagnation deepen youth disillusionment.