GAROUA, Cameroon (BN24) — Opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma on Monday declared victory in Cameroon’s presidential election and called on long-serving President Paul Biya to concede defeat and accept what he described as the “truth of the ballot box.”
Speaking from his hometown of Garoua in the north of the country, Tchiroma, 76, claimed a clear win in the October 12 poll during a Facebook address. “Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” he said. “The people have chosen. And this choice must be respected.”
A former government spokesman and employment minister, Tchiroma, broke with Biya’s ruling coalition earlier this year. He mounted a high-profile campaign with backing from several opposition parties and civic groups, drawing large crowds in both urban and rural regions.
President Biya, 92, who has ruled Cameroon for more than four decades, was seeking an eighth term. Despite concerns over economic stagnation and rising insecurity, many observers had expected the incumbent’s strong grip on state institutions and a historically divided opposition to favor his re-election.
Tchiroma praised voters for defying threats and staying late at polling stations to guard the vote. “I also thank candidates who have already sent me their congratulations and recognised the will of the people,” he said.
He warned the government against resisting the outcome. “We have placed the regime before its responsibilities: either it shows greatness by accepting the truth of the ballot box, or it chooses to plunge the country into turmoil that will leave an indelible scar in the heart of our nation,” Tchiroma said.
The government has not yet officially responded to Tchiroma’s self-declared victory. However, over the weekend, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji issued a warning that any unilateral declaration of results would constitute “high treason.” Under Cameroonian electoral law, only the Constitutional Council has the legal authority to announce final results.
While preliminary tallies may be posted at polling stations, the law mandates that final results be validated by the Constitutional Council, which has until October 26 to declare the official winner.
Tchiroma said he would soon release his own breakdown of regional vote tallies based on data compiled from publicly posted results. “This victory is not that of one man, nor of one party. It is the victory of a people,” he said.
He also called on security forces, the military, and government officials to remain loyal “to the republic, not the regime.”
More than 8 million voters were registered for the single-round election, in which the candidate with the most votes is declared president.
