Cameroon’s opposition presidential candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has declared victory in the just-concluded presidential election, saying the people have spoken and chosen change after more than four decades under President Paul Biya’s rule.
Tchiroma made the declaration on Tuesday in a post shared on his official Facebook page, claiming that the results from across the country showed a clear victory for his camp.
“Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” he wrote. “The people have chosen. The government must accept the truth of the ballot box or risk plunging the country into turmoil.”
Although official results from the weekend vote are not expected for another two weeks, Tchiroma’s early declaration has already stirred reactions among supporters and the ruling party. He vowed to make public detailed results by region in the coming days.
The Cameroonian government, however, warned that while tally sheets from polling units could be published, only the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce the final result, describing it as a “red line that must not be crossed.”
The 92-year-old President Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, is seeking an eighth term in office after 43 years in power. His administration has faced growing public discontent over economic hardship, corruption, and separatist unrest in the English-speaking regions.
Tchiroma, a former employment minister who resigned from Biya’s government in June after 20 years, has since emerged as the leading opposition voice. His campaign generated unusual excitement among voters, many of whom said they were eager for change in the Central African nation.
“The enthusiasm across towns and villages shows that Cameroonians are ready to turn a new page,” Tchiroma told supporters during a rally last week. “This election is not just about leadership, it’s about the soul of our country.”
Political observers say the vote is one of the most competitive in years, with Biya facing 11 challengers, including Tchiroma. His main rival from the 2018 election, Maurice Kamto, was barred from contesting this time by the Constitutional Council.
Images of result sheets and tally boards have flooded social media since Sunday, fueling victory claims from both the ruling party and opposition camps.
Analysts, however, warn of possible tension if both sides continue to claim victory before official pronouncements.
A Cameroonian political scientist, Stephane Akoa, told AFP that while the ruling system still wields strong influence, “the campaign was much livelier this time and the vote more likely to throw up surprises.”
As the nation waits for the official declaration, Tchiroma insists his claim reflects the people’s will. “This is a new dawn for Cameroon,” he said. “The people have spoken, and no force can silence their voice.”
