KEY POINTS

• Issa Tchiroma Bakary claims victory in Cameroon’s presidential election ahead of official results.

• He urges President Biya’s government to accept the “truth of the ballot box.”

• The government warns against premature declarations as tensions rise.

Cameroon’s opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared victory in the country’s presidential election, challenging the decades-long rule of President Paul Biya, whose tenure has spanned 43 years. The announcement came even as the official results from Sunday’s vote are not expected for another two weeks.

“Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” Tchiroma said in a post on Facebook, calling on the government to accept what he described as the “truth of the ballot box.” He warned that any refusal to acknowledge the outcome could “plunge the country into turmoil.” The opposition candidate pledged to release detailed regional results to back up his claim, asserting that “the people have chosen.”

Government cautions against crossing the red line

Cameroon’s electoral laws permit the publication of individual polling station tallies, but only the Constitutional Council declares official results. Government authorities have warned that announcing any winner before the Council’s final verdict represents a serious “red line” not to cross.

chiroma’s action recalls the 2018 incident when opposition leader Maurice Kamto proclaimed victory before the official results were released. Kamto’s early declaration triggered widespread protests, prompting security forces to disperse demonstrators with tear gas, water cannons, and several arrests.

As both camps trade claims of victory, images of handwritten tally sheets and blackboards displaying results have flooded social media. The competing narratives have intensified the uncertainty surrounding the official count, leaving the country bracing for potential political tension in the days ahead, according to Punch.