Cameroon: president responds to election protests

Cameroon’s recently elected President, Paul Biya, has responded to protests against his re-election following him being sworn into office on November 6th, Africanews via associated press reports.

The recent election was a contentious event marked by extreme political tensions across the Sahel country. Despite Biya winning the election and securing 53.66% of the votes, mass protests broke out across the country in response to his re-election, with allegations of fraud being thrown out into the election discourse. These protests quickly escalated into violence, with an estimated 48 killed by Cameroonian security following the subsequent government crackdown.

Biya, the 92-year-old candidate who was re-elected into his eighth term in office, made official statements surrounding these violent protests where he called for peace and order. “I appeal to everyone’s sense of responsibility. I’m addressing all those who are working to incite hatred and violence in our country, particularly some of our compatriots in the diaspora,” he said.

He went on to blame opposition political figures for inciting election unrest. Biya then promised to evoke confidence within the Cameroonian public, vowing to establish unity, stability and prosperity across the nation.

Biya initially became Cameroon’s second elected President in 1982, and has since been in power following an amendment to Cameroon’s constitution that abolished a limit to the number of terms a Presidential candidate can have. The public reportedly hold ambivalent opinions towards him and his policies.

It could be argued that the protests partially stemmed from lingering dissatisfaction among the Cameroonian youth who have lived their entire lives under economic stagnation. Furthermore, armed militant groups have been reported to be active across the north and west regions of the country.

The successful re-election occurs in the foreground of mounting political instability in response to Biya’s election, as well as public concern related to how his age will impact his ability to rule the country.

Africanews via Associated Press, Maghrebi.org, Reuters