By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, described re-elected President Paul Biya as a “man of peace” during the president’s swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday.
The speaker made the remarks on Nov. 6 during the swearing-in ceremony, which was attended by numerous national and international dignitaries.
“A true democrat is an apostle of peace,” Cavaye said. “Mr. President, I see you as a man of peace, the beggar of peace that you are and have always been.”
Cavaye indicated that the recent election has “given its verdict,” affirming that Cameroonians democratically made their choice.
“A true democratic society like ours makes its choice in the ballot box and not on the streets and, worse still, in social media — the locus of social ills,” he said. “A true democrat does not resort to manipulation or seek to destabilize the country.”
He continued, saying Biya was “incontestably re-elected by your compatriots in recognition of your patriotism.” He added that Biya has “devoted your entire life to serve your country by relieving it of the yoke that hampered its forward march to prosperity.”
The speaker also commended Biya for offering the National Assembly Building (an “architectural marvel”) to the people. He noted that elected representatives are “profoundly grateful” that Biya accepted, for the first time in his career, to have a public edifice named after him.
“Frankly, I have always admired you as a venerable political figure, a patriarch and the wise man of Africa for the several years we have worked together,” Cavaye said.
He noted the historical coincidence that Biya first took the oath of office as president on Nov. 6, 1982.
“Forty-three years after, we have, once more, assembled here today, Nov. 6, 2025, for the same swearing-in ceremony,” he stated.
