Presidential elections were held in
Cameroon
Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...
on 9 October 2011. Incumbent President
Paul Biya
Paul Biya (born Paul Barthélemy Biya'a bi Mvondo; 13 February 1933) is a Cameroonian politician who has served as the president of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. stood for another term after a constitutional amendment passed in 2008 eliminated term limits. Biya was re-elected with 78% of the vote.
Background
Some opposition demands regarding voting rights for the diaspora were met before the election, when lawmakers passed an amendment to the electoral law in July 2011.
Candidates
Long-time opposition leader
John Fru Ndi
John is a common English name and surname:
* John (given name)
* John (surname)
John may also refer to:
New Testament
Works
* Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John
* First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John
* Second E ...
also stood as a candidate in the election.
["Casalammmeroon leader, 51 others seek presidency"]
VOA News, 5 September 2011. Fifty other people submitted paperwork to
ELECAM, the electoral commission, seeking to stand as presidential candidates.
[ Observers viewed the opposition as anemic and expected Biya to easily win re-election.
Daniel Soh Fone of the United Socialist Party withdrew before the election, giving his support to Biya.
]
Conduct
The United States Ambassador to Cameroon
This is a list of ambassadors from the United States to Cameroon. The American Embassy at Yaounde was established on January 1, 1960, with Bolard More as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim.
Ambassadors
See also
*Embassy of Cameroon, Washington, D ...
, Robert P. Jackson and former colonial power France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
have criticized the election, citing irregularities. Several political parties claimed they would challenge the results.
The mission Chief of the African Union
The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The AU was announced in the Sirte Declaration in Sirte, Libya, on 9 September 1999, calling for the establishment of the Africa ...
's Observer Mission in Cameroon, former Prime Minister of Mali Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta (; 29 January 1945 – 16 January 2022), often known by his initials IBK, was a Malian politician who served as the president of Mali from September 2013 to August 2020, when he was forced to resign in the 2020 Malian cou ...
stated in his report that the African Union
The African Union (AU) is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa. The AU was announced in the Sirte Declaration in Sirte, Libya, on 9 September 1999, calling for the establishment of the Africa ...
judges found the vote to be "free, transparent and credible". La Francophonie
LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States.
La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to:
Arts and entertainment Music
* La (musical note), or A, the sixth note
* "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figure ...
and the Commonwealth
A commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has been synonymous with "republic". The noun "commonwealth", meaning "public welfare, general good or advantage", dates from the ...
also praised the election. Fred Mitchell, former Foreign Minister of The Bahamas
The Bahamas (), officially the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, is an island country within the Lucayan Archipelago of the West Indies in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic. It takes up 97% of the Lucayan Archipelago's land area and is home to ...
, led the Commonwealth mission to Cameroon; he said that there were no signs that people were coerced to vote and the election was conducted peacefully.
Results
Aftermath
Biya was sworn in for another term as president in a ceremony held at the National Assembly on 3 November."Biya sworn in again vowing to 'transform' Cameroon"
AFP, 3 November 2011.
References
{{Cameroonian elections
Presidential elections in Cameroon
Cameroon
Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...
Presidential
Cameroon
Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west and north; Chad to the northeast; the C ...