Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has boldly declared himself the winner of Cameroon’s presidential election, urging President Paul Biya to concede and enable a peaceful transfer of power.
Speaking to the nation on Wednesday, Tchiroma claimed that his campaign team, using reports from polling stations and field verifications, concluded he had secured more than half of the valid votes. He described the result as a clear statement against the current administration and called on Biya to respond with “courage and humility” by congratulating the victor and facilitating a smooth handover.
“Such a rejection of the outgoing president should, in the name of democracy and our customs, prompt him to acknowledge the winner and prepare for a peaceful transition,” Tchiroma said, expressing disappointment that this does not seem to be Biya’s intention.
Despite official results not yet being released, Tchiroma insisted that his legitimacy rests on two pillars: broad popular support and Article 113 of the Electoral Code, which allows the publication of election results. “These two levers undeniably make me the lawful and legitimate President of the Republic,” he asserted.
He also warned that any attempt by the Constitutional Council to release manipulated results would amount to complicity in electoral fraud. “The Cameroonian people will never accept the Council validating ballot-rigging on such a historic scale,” he said.
Tchiroma’s remarks come amid rising unrest in Garoua and other cities, where his supporters have staged protests for a second consecutive day, demanding transparency and fairness in the election outcome. Calling for peaceful nationwide demonstrations, he encouraged Cameroonians at home and abroad to “march for liberation and claim our victory.” “Let us create a great peaceful wave to show the world that the people have had enough and want their freedom,” he added.
Preliminary figures suggest President Biya is currently leading, with the final results expected on Thursday. The protests have, however, led to confrontations with security forces, prompting authorities to impose strict measures.
In Garoua, at least 20 demonstrators were arrested on October 21 and may face military trial for inciting violence and public disorder, according to Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji.
To contain the unrest, officials in the Menoua division of western Cameroon have banned all public demonstrations, restricted travel, prohibited motorcycle use, and halted the sale of fuel in bottles, effective October 21 until further notice.
