US ignores Biya’s election victory again, congratulates him on inauguration.

His main challenger, now on self-exile, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, had rejected Biya’s victory, declaring himself winner of the election.

Meanwhile, after congratulating Biya on November 6 on his successful inauguration, the US, on Monday, did same for the second time.

This was via the country’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. No mention was made about his election victory as proclaimed by the Constitutional Council.

According to a brief message published by the US Department of State, Marco Rubio spoke with President Biya on phone to congratulate him on his inauguration. 

The statement disclosed that during their conversation, the Secretary and the President Biya discussed deepening the partnership between the United States and Cameroon to advance shared goals, including strengthening security as well as achieving regional peace and prosperity for both nations. 

“The Secretary commended Cameroon for its role as a partner in the fight against terrorism,” the statement attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson, Tommy Pigott added.

The conversation between the US Secretary of State and President Biya, comes days after the United States, had technically avoided congratulating President Biya on his election victory but merely felicitated him on his successful inauguration as Head of State.

The outing of the US government via the country’s Embassy in Yaounde, was issued same day Biya, was sworn in for a record eighth term as President of the Republic.

The US was among several other nations including the United Kingdom, UK, South Africa, Nigeria, that had not publicly congratulated Biya after the Constitutional Council declared him winner of the disputed October 12 presidential election.

Relations between Cameroon and the United States have strained over the years with Cameroon turning to China and Russia for international cooperation.

US President, Donald Trump, and his Cameroonian counterpart, Biya, have rarely met since the former came to power.

In their November 6 outing, the United States, via its embassy in Yaounde merely said it was congratulating: “President Paul Biya on his inauguration”. 

The US which is one of the world’s super powers noted that: “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with Cameroon to advance shared goals such as regional peace and security and prosperity for both our peoples”.

The United States established diplomatic relations with Cameroon in 1960, following the independence of the French-administered part of the country.  

US officials say relations with Cameroon are positive, although they have been adversely affected by concerns over human rights abuses, in particular in the North West and South West Regions, and the pace of political and economic liberalization.  

Cameroon plays a key role in regional stability and remains a regional partner in countering terrorism in the Lake Chad Region. 

The United States and Cameroon are closely engaged on issues that address democracy and governance, health, regional security, humanitarian assistance, and environmental protection.

The US government provides health assistance to Cameroon through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the Global Health Security Agenda, the President’s Malaria Initiative and other global health programs, and works across five US government agencies to support Cameroon’s national HIV and TB programs.  

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3631 of Thursday November 20, 2025