The Digest:
Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state at 92, has been sworn in for an eighth term after a contested election. This moment explores the tension between enduring power and a nation’s cry for change, as opposition supporters challenge the results and confront repression.
Key Points
- Biya, in power for 43 years, won with 53.7% of the vote amid allegations of irregularities.
- Main challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former ally, insists he is the true winner and urges protests.
- Security forces quashed opposition rallies, leading to reported deaths and international condemnation.
- Tchiroma’s “dead city” protests saw mixed responses, with some cities complying while others resisted.
- The government plans legal action against Tchiroma for “repeated calls for insurrection.”
- International bodies like the EU, AU, and UN have criticized the violent crackdown on dissent.
- Biya’s leadership faces crises, including social unrest, economic inequality, and separatist violence
Sources: AFP, Vanguard
