The world’s oldest serving president, 92-years-old Paul Biya, has been sworn in for the eighth term following his victory in last month’s disputed elections.
Paul Biya was sworn in at a ceremony in parliament in Yaounde on Thursday for a new seven-year term at the helm of the central African country
Biya, who has been president of Cameroon for 43 years, won the October 12 elections with 54 percent of the vote, according to official results, against 35 percent for his main opposition, former government minister, Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
In his inauguration speech, Biya said after taking his oath of office, “I will not relent my effort to continue to measure up to the confidence you have demonstrated in me, irrespective of the circumstances, difficulties, obstacles and challenges.
“I fully understand the gravity of the situation confronting our country and the difficulties it faces and the depth of frustration, the height of expectations and the importance of the responsibility awaiting the president of the republic.”
Meanwhile, Tchiroma Bakary insisted to be the rightful winner of the poll and accused the authorities of fraud, which they have denied.
“There are now two presidents — the president elected by the Cameroonian people (me) and the president appointed by the Constitutional Council (whom you know),” he wrote on social media on Wednesday.
Bakary has repeatedly urged supporters to protest against the official results, which were closer than expected.
Several people were reported to have died when security forces quashed opposition rallies just before and after Biya’s victory was announced on October 27.
He has since urged supporters to stage “dead city” operations, closing shops and halting other public activities.
Biya is only the second person to lead Cameroon since independence from France in 1960.
Biya first became president of Cameroon in 1982. He ascended to the presidency on November 6, 1982, following the unexpected resignation of the country’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo.
Biya at the time was serving as prime minister, which made him the constitutional successor to the presidency.
He has since then been re-elected multiple times.
