In a dramatic twist that could reshape Cameroon’s political history, opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared victory in the country’s hotly contested presidential election — a move that has electrified his supporters and rattled the entrenched political order dominated for more than four decades by President Paul Biya.
Tchiroma’s self-declaration came just two days after Cameroonians went to the polls in a vote many observers described as one of the most tightly contested since the nation’s independence. Speaking through a post on Facebook, the 74-year-old opposition leader claimed an “undeniable victory,” urging the government and electoral institutions to “respect the truth of the ballot box” and warning that any attempt to subvert the people’s will could “plunge the country into turmoil.”
“Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” Tchiroma wrote in the statement that quickly went viral across social media platforms, sparking jubilation in some cities and nervous unease in others. “The people have chosen,” he continued. “It is time for change — for dignity, justice, and renewal in Cameroon.”
But his declaration — made ahead of official results, which are not expected for another two weeks — has deepened uncertainty in a nation already grappling with political fatigue, ethnic divisions, and economic stagnation. The Cameroon Constitutional Council, the only body legally empowered to announce the final results, has warned that the publication of parallel tallies or regional results by political actors is “a red line that must not be crossed.”
Still, that warning has not deterred Tchiroma or his camp. “We will publish detailed results by region to show Cameroonians how they voted,” he vowed, insisting that transparency was the only safeguard against manipulation.
A Repeat of 2018’s Post-Election Drama
For many Cameroonians, Tchiroma’s move evokes memories of the country’s 2018 presidential election, when another opposition figure, Maurice Kamto, similarly declared himself the winner before the official announcement. The government responded with a swift crackdown: Kamto was arrested, his rallies violently dispersed, and dozens of his supporters detained.
That historical parallel looms large today. Analysts say Biya’s government, long known for its intolerance of dissent, could resort to similar tactics to stifle post-election unrest. Yet, unlike 2018, the public mood in 2025 feels palpably different. The fatigue with Biya’s rule — 43 years of it — has reached a breaking point.
“Cameroonians are no longer afraid,” says political analyst Jean-Benoît Essomba, speaking from Yaoundé. “Tchiroma’s declaration is not just political bravado. It’s a reflection of a population that feels suffocated by one man’s reign. Whether he has the numbers or not, this is a statement of defiance.”
The Biya Era Nears a Crossroads
Born in 1933, Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him the world’s oldest and one of its longest-serving heads of state. His leadership, once marked by a reputation for discipline and calm, has in recent years come to symbolize stagnation, repression, and corruption. Critics say his government has failed to modernize the economy or heal the country’s deep regional and linguistic divides — particularly between the French-speaking majority and the English-speaking minority in the volatile Northwest and Southwest regions.
Biya’s administration has also faced growing international scrutiny over alleged human rights violations, including the detention of opposition figures, censorship of the press, and the military’s brutal suppression of separatist insurgencies.
Despite these challenges, Biya’s ruling party — the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) — has maintained a firm grip on power through what many observers describe as an intricate web of patronage, coercion, and electoral engineering.
However, the 2025 election introduced an unexpected variable: Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Once a minister under Biya himself, Tchiroma broke ranks years ago to found his own political movement. Over time, he cultivated an image of resilience — a seasoned politician who understood the system from within and was determined to reform it.
The Rise of Issa Tchiroma Bakary
A former employment minister and spokesperson for opposition causes, Tchiroma’s political career has been marked by both defiance and pragmatism. Known for his eloquence and populist touch, he has built his appeal around the promise of generational change, economic revitalization, and national reconciliation.
In the run-up to the election, Tchiroma toured the country extensively, connecting with rural voters and youth demographics who have increasingly felt alienated from Biya’s aging administration. His campaign focused on ending corruption, expanding access to education, and fostering unity across Cameroon’s ethnically diverse landscape.
By contrast, Biya’s campaign relied heavily on the machinery of incumbency, emphasizing stability and experience over change. Yet, with Biya reportedly in declining health and rarely making public appearances, many Cameroonians have come to view his presidency as one sustained by inertia rather than vision.
“Tchiroma’s message resonated because it spoke to hope,” explains Dr. Stella Nfor, a lecturer in political science at the University of Buea. “Even among those who doubt his ability to govern, there’s a sense that any change would be better than the perpetual uncertainty of Biya’s twilight rule.”
Social Media: The New Battleground
As the official results remain pending, social media has become the battleground for claims and counterclaims. Images of handwritten tally sheets from polling stations — some allegedly favoring Tchiroma, others showing Biya in the lead — have flooded Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp groups. In many towns, young volunteers have reportedly taken it upon themselves to count results manually from photos shared online.
While the government has warned against misinformation, the flow of unofficial data continues unabated. “We’re living through a digital revolution in Cameroonian politics,” says journalist Emmanuel Ngong, based in Douala. “For the first time, people are verifying results themselves. The government can’t easily control the narrative anymore.”
That democratization of information, however, has its perils. Analysts caution that unverified tallies and doctored photos could inflame tensions or lead to violence if supporters on both sides believe victory has been stolen.
The African Union Election Observation Mission and several civil society groups have urged calm and patience until the Constitutional Council releases its certified results. Yet, with the council widely perceived as pro-Biya, many fear the outcome is already predetermined.
A Nation on Edge
Across Cameroon’s major cities, the atmosphere is tense but uncertain. In Yaoundé, security forces have increased their presence around government buildings and opposition party offices. In Douala, some residents report sporadic clashes between pro-government youth groups and opposition supporters celebrating prematurely.
“The security forces are everywhere,” said one resident who requested anonymity. “You can feel the tension in the air. People are whispering, not shouting, about politics.”
In Garoua, Tchiroma’s hometown, his supporters have held candlelight vigils and prayer sessions, describing the election as “the dawn of a new era.” One banner read: “Biya’s 43 years are enough. Let the people breathe.”
The government has so far refrained from direct confrontation. In an official statement, Information Minister René Emmanuel Sadi reiterated that “only the Constitutional Council has the authority to declare results,” warning that premature victory claims “threaten public order and national unity.”
Echoes Beyond Cameroon
The unfolding political drama in Cameroon has drawn international attention, particularly from African neighbors and global watchdogs wary of another post-election crisis on the continent.
Cameroon, a key regional ally in the fight against terrorism and instability in Central Africa, plays a crucial role in regional security, particularly in combating Boko Haram along its northern border. Any prolonged unrest could have ripple effects beyond its borders.
The United Nations, African Union, and European Union have all called for restraint, transparency, and adherence to due process. The United States Embassy in Yaoundé issued a brief statement urging “all parties to respect the rule of law and avoid inflammatory rhetoric.”
A Turning Point or Another False Dawn?
As Cameroon awaits official results, the question on everyone’s lips is whether this moment marks the end of an era or merely another false dawn in the country’s long struggle for democratic renewal.
For Tchiroma’s supporters, his declaration of victory is more than just a political statement — it’s an act of courage against a regime they see as unyielding and out of touch. For Biya’s loyalists, it’s a reckless provocation that risks destabilizing the fragile peace.
Regardless of the final outcome, one thing is clear: the election has exposed deep fractures within Cameroonian society — between young and old, reformists and conservatives, hope and resignation.
If the Constitutional Council confirms Biya’s victory yet again, protests are almost certain. If it validates Tchiroma’s claims, the country faces an equally uncertain future, as the old guard may not yield power easily.
In the words of political commentator Ndifor Ewane, “Cameroon is standing at the crossroads of history. The next few weeks will determine whether it steps into the light of renewal or sinks further into the shadow of its past.”
As dusk falls over Yaoundé, both camps remain defiant. One side celebrates a victory it believes is divine; the other clings to the certainty of its power. The fate of a nation — long ruled, often silenced, but never truly broken — now hangs in the balance.
Post a Comment