CAMEROON’S OPPOSITION CANDIDATE CLAIMS VICTORY, URGES PRESIDENT BIYA TO CONCEDE
Cameroon’s opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared victory in the October 12 presidential election. He urged long-time President Paul Biya to accept defeat after more than 40 years in power.
“Our victory is clear and must be respected,” Tchiroma said in a Facebook video on Tuesday. He called on Biya to “accept the truth of the ballot box” to avoid unrest.
Official results have not yet been released by Elections Cameroon or the Constitutional Council, which is expected to announce the final results by October 26.
The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) dismissed Tchiroma’s claim. Deputy Secretary-General Gregoire Owona insisted that the opposition lacks verified polling data. Meanwhile, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warned that publishing unofficial results could be seen as “high treason.” He stressed that only the Constitutional Council can declare a winner.
Tchiroma, 76, is a former government spokesperson and minister who left Biya’s administration last year to run for president. His campaign has drawn large crowds and support from several opposition parties and civic groups.
Despite this, analysts expect Biya, 92, the world’s oldest sitting president, to retain power since the opposition remains divided. Several major challengers were barred from running.
Cameroon, a Central African nation of nearly 30 million people, continues to face challenges such as separatist conflict in its western regions and widespread corruption. These issues have hindered development despite the country’s abundant oil and mineral resources.
In the last election in 2018, Biya won with over 70% of the vote amid reports of irregularities and low voter turnout.
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