Cameroon’s opposition candidate, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has declared victory in the country’s presidential election held on Sunday, setting the stage for potential political tension as the nation awaits official results expected in two weeks.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page on Monday, Tchiroma claimed a decisive win at the polls, calling on the government and electoral authorities to respect what he described as the “will of the people.”
“Our victory is clear. It must be respected,” he wrote. “I urge the government to accept the truth of the ballot box and allow democracy to prevail.”
The declaration comes amid mounting anticipation following what observers described as a highly competitive and peaceful election, with record voter turnout in several regions. However, the government has maintained that only the Constitutional Council—the country’s top election adjudicator—has the legal authority to announce official results.
Government spokespersons reiterated this position on state media, warning political actors and parties against premature victory claims that could incite unrest or undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
“The government urges all candidates to exercise restraint and await the official declaration of results by the Constitutional Council,” a statement from the Ministry of Communication said.
Election observers from the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) have so far praised the conduct of the vote, while noting minor logistical challenges in some polling areas.
Tchiroma’s early declaration has divided public opinion, with supporters celebrating across parts of the northern regions and the capital, Yaoundé, while ruling party loyalists dismissed the claim as premature and politically motivated.
The Constitutional Council is expected to begin reviewing results submitted from across Cameroon’s ten regions this week. Official tallies are anticipated within fourteen days, after which the Council will certify the outcome and declare the next president.
Political analysts say the period leading up to the official announcement will be critical, urging both the ruling party and opposition to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and respect the legal process governing the country’s electoral framework.
