ISTANBUL

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya was sworn in on Thursday for an eighth term, extending his 43-year rule over the Central African nation, according to local media.

A 101-gun salute rang out as Biya’s motorcade departed the Paul Biya Glass House for the Unity Palace following the ceremony, with the volleys continuing until his arrival, according to national broadcaster CRTV.

Biya thanked his voters, and vowed to “spare no effort to continue to be worthy” of the Cameroonians’ trust.

“The situation of the young and women will be at the core of my actions,” he said.

On Oct. 27, Cameroon’s Constitutional Council said Biya was reelected with 53.66% of the vote, extending his rule as the world’s oldest sitting president.

Main opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former minister who came second with 39.19% of the vote, denounced the Oct. 12 election, and his supporters, rejecting the results, took to the streets ahead of the announcement of results.

Clashes between protesters and security forces left multiple civilians dead.