Cameroon’s opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared himself winner of the country’s presidential election, even as official results are yet to be announced.
In a nearly five-minute video posted to social media early Tuesday, Tchiroma proclaimed victory and urged the country’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, to concede defeat.
“The people have chosen, and this choice must be respected,” Tchiroma said, calling on the 92-year-old incumbent to “honour the will of the nation.”
The declaration has stirred tension in the Central African nation, where authorities have repeatedly warned that only the Constitutional Council — not candidates — has the power to announce official results. The council has up to two weeks to release the final outcome of Sunday’s vote.
Tchiroma, once a close ally of President Biya and former government spokesman, resigned from the administration in June to mount his own presidential bid.
His campaign quickly gained momentum, drawing massive crowds and winning the backing of a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups.
Despite his rising popularity, analysts have long predicted that Biya — who has ruled Cameroon for 43 years, making him the world’s oldest serving head of state — remains heavily favoured to retain power, given his firm control of state institutions and a divided opposition.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the government had not officially responded to Tchiroma’s self-declared victory.
However, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji reiterated earlier this week that any premature announcement of results by candidates or political parties would be regarded as “high treason.”
According to Reuters, Cameroon’s electoral law permits polling station results to be publicly posted, but only the Constitutional Council can validate and announce the nationwide tally — a process that must be completed by October 26.
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