The political climate in Cameroon intensified on Monday evening as Issa Tchiroma Bakary, candidate for the Cameroon National Salvation Front (FSNC), unilaterally declared himself the winner of the October 12 presidential election.
This claim was made even though the Constitutional Council, the sole body authorized to do so, has not yet announced the official results.
The former minister and government spokesperson used a speech posted on social media to affirm that “the people have chosen” and demanded that “this choice must be respected.” Tchiroma Bakary described his victory as “overwhelming” and the election result as “a clear sanction of the current regime.” He praised the voters’ “courage and determination,” saying he saw “a Cameroon standing tall” despite “threats and intimidation.”
The opposition leader called on state institutions “not to make themselves enemies of the people they are supposed to serve” and urged the outgoing government to “show greatness” by recognizing the popular will. He also paid tribute to the defense and security forces, inviting them to “remain on the side of the Republic and of peace,” and suggested that a congratulatory phone call from the presidential camp would mark “Cameroon’s political maturity.”
The premature declaration has placed the opposition in direct conflict with the Ministry of Territorial Administration (MINAT). The ministry denounced the weekend release of unofficial estimates by a segment of the opposition—which placed Tchiroma Bakary in the lead with scores as high as 60 to 80 percent in certain polling stations—as “illegal”. Minister Atanga Nji Paul warned that any dissemination of unofficial results exposes those responsible to legal penalties, emphasizing that only the Constitutional Council is empowered to proclaim the final outcome.
The final official results are expected no later than October 26, 2025, in accordance with the Constitutional Council’s timetable. Meanwhile, clashes were reported in Garoua between FSNC supporters and law enforcement following the contentious vote.
The election saw 8,010,464 registered voters participate, including a significant diaspora vote in 108 polling stations abroad. The race featured 12 candidates, including incumbent Paul Biya (RDPC), seeking an eighth term. The candidacy of key opposition figure Maurice Kamto (MRC) was previously rejected by the Constitutional Council.
AC/fss/abj/APA