分类： politics

Cameroon’s long-serving President, Paul Biya, aged 92, has been inaugurated for an unprecedented eighth term following a contentious election last month. The swearing-in ceremony took place at the parliament in Yaoundé, marking the continuation of a 43-year reign that began in 1982. Biya, who is currently the world’s oldest head of state, secured 54% of the vote, as per official results, while his closest rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, garnered 35%. Bakary has vehemently contested the outcome, alleging electoral fraud, a claim dismissed by the authorities. The announcement of Biya’s victory sparked widespread protests across the nation, reflecting deep-seated divisions and dissatisfaction among the populace. Biya’s campaign was notably subdued, with the nonagenarian addressing only one rally prior to the election. His extended tenure has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny, raising questions about the future of governance in Cameroon.

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state, was inaugurated on Thursday for a seventh term following a contentious election marred by allegations of fraud. The 92-year-old leader, who has been in power since 1982, took the oath of office in a heavily militarized Yaounde, the nation’s capital, which residents described as partially deserted. Biya’s victory, declared by Cameroon’s top court on October 27 with 53.66% of the vote, has been labeled a “constitutional coup” by his main rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who secured 35.19% of the vote. In his address to Parliament, Biya pledged to uphold the trust of the Cameroonian people and work towards a “united, stable, and prosperous” nation. However, the ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of deep political divisions, ongoing security challenges in Anglophone regions, and widespread disillusionment among the populace. Protests erupted across the country after the October 19 election, culminating in a three-day lockdown this week. The government confirmed at least five deaths during the unrest, though opposition groups claim the toll is significantly higher. Tchiroma accused Biya of orchestrating “electoral theft,” asserting that the will of the people had been trampled. Biya’s prolonged rule, enabled by a 2008 constitutional amendment abolishing term limits, has left many young Cameroonians disillusioned. With over 70% of the population under 35, his tenure has been marked by economic stagnation and armed insurgencies in the north and west. If he completes this term, Biya will step down at nearly 100 years old, leaving behind a legacy of mixed results and a nation grappling with uncertainty.

Tanzania is grappling with widespread unrest following its October 29 elections, which international observers have criticized as neither free nor fair. The violence erupted as security forces attempted to suppress opposition protests, leading to a disputed death toll. The leading opposition party, Chadema, claims hundreds were killed, while the government denies these allegations. President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who assumed office in 2021 after her predecessor’s death, secured over 97% of the vote, according to official results. However, her main rivals, Tundu Lissu of Chadema and Luhaga Mpina of ACT-Wazalendo, were barred from running, amid accusations of repression, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings by Amnesty International.

Hassan, Tanzania’s first female head of state, faces criticism for her administration’s crackdown on political opponents. Critics argue that she is largely a figurehead, with key decisions influenced by loyalists from Zanzibar, her birthplace. This has raised concerns about factionalism within the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party, which has governed Tanzania since independence in 1961. Analysts, including William Farmer of Africa Practice, note that the Zanzibar clique lacks extensive government experience.

Other prominent figures in Tanzania’s political landscape include former President Jakaya Kikwete, who remains influential and is seen as a behind-the-scenes supporter of Hassan. Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi, a former interior minister, is considered a potential presidential candidate when Hassan’s term ends in five years. Additionally, Hassan’s son, Abdul Halim Hafidh Ameir, has been accused of orchestrating the recent crackdown, though he holds no formal government role. Former regional commissioner Paul Makonda, a Hassan ally, is also expected to play a significant role in the next administration, despite U.S. sanctions for his alleged involvement in oppressing political opposition.

The United States has announced the termination of South Sudan’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS), a program that has allowed South Sudanese nationals to legally reside in the U.S. and escape ongoing armed conflict in their homeland. The decision, effective January 5, was confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a recent statement. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem concluded that South Sudan no longer meets the statutory requirements for TPS after consultations with interagency partners. South Sudanese nationals who voluntarily depart the U.S. using the Customs and Border Protection mobile app may receive a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus, and potential future legal immigration opportunities. This policy shift is a significant setback for South Sudanese refugees, as the country remains politically unstable and continues to produce a large number of displaced individuals seeking safety abroad. Edmund Yakani, a prominent South Sudanese civic leader, suggested that the decision reflects deteriorating U.S.-South Sudan relations, particularly regarding the deportation of foreign nationals. South Sudan has resisted accepting a second phase of U.S. deportees, which reportedly angered the Trump administration. The TPS designation, initially granted in 2011 following South Sudan’s independence from Sudan, has been renewed in 18-month increments. However, the Trump administration has consistently sought to withdraw protections for immigrants, including ending TPS for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans and Haitians. South Sudan’s government, already struggling to provide basic services, faces additional challenges due to U.S. cuts in foreign aid. The country’s fragile peace deal, signed in 2018 to end conflict between President Salva Kiir and former deputy Riek Machar, is under strain following Machar’s arrest on criminal charges earlier this year.