Cameroon’s opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, declared victory on Tuesday in the presidential election held on Sunday, challenging incumbent Paul Biya, who has ruled for 43 years. Official results are not expected for another two weeks.
“Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” Tchiroma wrote on Facebook, urging the government to accept the outcome or risk plunging the country into unrest. He also vowed to release detailed regional results soon.
While tally sheets can be shared publicly, the government has stressed that only the Constitutional Council can announce the official results, calling it a “red line.”
Tchiroma, a former government spokesman and longtime Biya ally, emerged as the leading challenger after resigning from government in June. His campaign drew major crowds and support from a coalition of opposition parties and civic groups.
Cameroon faced a similar situation in 2018, when opposition leader Maurice Kamto declared himself the winner before official results, leading to his arrest and violent dispersal of protests.
Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji has warned that only the Constitutional Council can declare the winner and that any unilateral result announcement would be considered “high treason.”
According to electoral law, results can be posted at polling stations, but the Constitutional Council must validate and announce the final tally by October 26.
Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state, is seeking an eighth term in office.
