he political landscape of Cameroon is experiencing a significant stir as opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has taken a bold and unilateral step, declaring himself the victor of the nation’s recent presidential election. In a video address that quickly went viral on social media early Tuesday, Tchiroma issued a direct challenge to long-term incumbent President Paul Biya, urging the 92-year-old leader to concede defeat and call him to offer congratulations.
“The people have chosen, and this choice must be respected,” Tchiroma declared in his nearly five-minute speech, filmed in his hometown of Garoua and prominently featuring the Cameroonian flag. He framed the purported election results as a “clear sanction” of Biya’s lengthy administration and the “beginning of a new era” for the country. Tchiroma also extended thanks to rival candidates he claims have already acknowledged his victory and the “will of the people.”
However, this defiant declaration comes at a time when official results have yet to be announced. The Cameroonian government had previously issued a stern warning, emphasizing that only the results published by the Constitutional Council will be considered legitimate. This esteemed body has a period of nearly two weeks to finalize and announce the official outcome of the elections.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s emergence as a formidable challenger is noteworthy. A former government spokesman and an ally of President Biya for two decades, Tchiroma resigned from his government post in June. His subsequent campaign garnered significant traction, attracting large crowds and securing crucial endorsements from a coalition of opposition parties and civic organizations. This perceived momentum led many to believe he was the most viable contender to unseat Biya.
Despite Tchiroma’s bold claims, the prevailing expectation has been that President Paul Biya, who has been in power for an astonishing 43 years and holds the title of the world’s oldest serving head of state, would secure another seven-year term. This expectation stems from Biya’s extensive control over state machinery and the historically fragmented nature of the opposition.
As of now, the Cameroonian government has not issued an official response to Tchiroma’s declaration. However, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji had previously cautioned that any unilateral announcement of results would be considered “high treason.” Electoral law in Cameroon does permit the posting and publication of results at individual polling stations, but the ultimate validation rests with the Constitutional Council, which has until October 26th to make its pronouncement.
In his address, Tchiroma implored President Biya to “honour the truth of the ballot box” and to concede, suggesting that such an act would be a testament to Cameroon’s political maturity and democratic strength. He also called upon government institutions and the military to recognize his victory and “stay on the side of the republic,” urging them not to be swayed from their mission of protecting the people.
The coming days will be critical as Cameroon awaits the official pronouncement from the Constitutional Council. The tension between Tchiroma’s preemptive victory declaration and the government’s insistence on official channels sets the stage for a potentially charged period as the nation navigates the validation of its electoral process.
