Cameroon’s opposition presidential candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, on Tuesday publicly declared victory over incumbent President Paul Biya, who has governed the country for approximately forty-three (43) years. This declaration was made despite the fact that official results from Sunday’s election are not expected to be released for another two weeks.
In a statement issued via his official Facebook account, Mr. Tchiroma asserted that his “victory is clear” and “must be respected,” urging the incumbent administration to “accept the truth of the ballot box” or risk “plunging the country into turmoil.” He further pledged to publish detailed, region-by-region vote counts to substantiate his claim, adding that “the people have chosen.”
While Cameroonian law permits the publication of local tally sheets, final and legally binding results may only be proclaimed by the Constitutional Council, which government officials have described as “a red line that must not be crossed.”
The current development echoes events from the 2018 presidential election, during which opposition candidate Maurice Kamto similarly declared himself the victor prior to the official announcement. Kamto was subsequently arrested, and demonstrations by his supporters were dispersed by security forces using tear gas and water cannons, with multiple arrests reported.
President Biya, recognized as the world’s oldest serving head of state, is seeking to extend his tenure through yet another term. Meanwhile, Mr. Tchiroma—a former employment minister—has gained significant momentum among sections of the electorate, giving rise to what observers have described as a competitive two-way contest.
In the aftermath of the vote, images of handwritten tally sheets and blackboards displaying local results have circulated widely across social media platforms, further intensifying claims of victory from both the ruling and opposition camps.#newsafro_
