Cameroon’s opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who has proclaimed himself the winner of the 12 October presidential election, has vowed not to accept what he calls a stolen vote, ahead of the official results expected on Monday. Speaking to the BBC, Tchiroma Bakary, 76, said his team compiled data from individual polling stations, leaving “no doubt” about his victory.
A former government minister, Tchiroma Bakary broke ranks with President Paul Biya, 92, who is seeking another term after 43 years in power. The ruling party has dismissed Tchiroma Bakary’s claims as illegal, insisting that only the Constitutional Council has the authority to announce official results.
Tchiroma Bakary urged his supporters to defend their votes, stating: “We will never accept their votes being stolen by anyone.” He also expressed confidence in his victory, saying, “There is no doubt, no shadow of doubt whatsoever. My victory is undeniable.”
The opposition leader accused the CPDM ruling party of struggling to accept the election outcome and challenged them to prove his claims wrong. While he said he would accept official results from the Constitutional Council that reflect the true ballot box outcomes, he insisted that any results based on manipulation would not be recognized.
The delayed announcement of results has raised tensions and fears of post-election violence in a country already grappling with a separatist conflict in the Anglophone regions and a Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North. In response, Cameroon’s Catholic Church urged calm, emphasizing that the official outcome should reflect the will of the people and remain free from interference.
Leave a comment