"I'm the winner." Those three words, spoken by opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary on October 24, 2025, ignited a political firestorm across Cameroon — a nation already on edge after presidential polls that many feared would extend Paul Biya’s 43-year grip on power. The declaration, made while ballot counting was still underway, flew in the face of Cameroon’s electoral code and sent shockwaves through the capital, Yaoundé, and beyond. Within hours, protests flared in Douala, Bamenda, and Buea. Security forces moved in. The government slammed Bakary’s move as illegal. And the country held its breath — waiting for the Constitutional Council to speak.
Breaking the Rules, Breaking the Peace
Bakary, head of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), didn’t wait for official results. He didn’t wait for the National Elections Management Agency (ENIE) to certify votes. He didn’t wait for the Constitutional Council of Cameroon — the only body legally empowered under Article 63 of the Constitution to validate the outcome. Instead, he went straight to the cameras, broadcasting his claim via social media and to BBC News Africa, where reporter Paul Njie captured the moment. It was a calculated risk. A gamble. And it backfired — instantly.The government didn’t waste time responding. The Ministry of Communication in Yaoundé issued a statement calling Bakary’s declaration a "violation of Article 135 of Cameroon’s Electoral Code." Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and the National Security Council echoed the sentiment, urging calm. "The people must trust the process," Ngute said in a televised address. "The Constitution is not a suggestion. It is the law."
Protests Ignite in the Anglophone Heartland
While Bakary’s supporters took to the streets in cities like Bamenda and Buea — both in the Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions — Biya loyalists responded in kind. In Bamenda, crowds clashed near the regional governor’s office. In Buea, students from the University of Buea blocked roads with burning tires. No official death toll was reported, but eyewitnesses described tear gas, baton charges, and at least one armored vehicle rolling through the city center. The National Gendarmerie and the Ministry of Territorial Administration deployed reinforcements across ten regions.What made this different from past election disputes? Timing. Cameroon’s 2019 constitutional amendments set a clear 15-day window for results certification. That clock started ticking on election day — though the exact date remains unconfirmed. Bakary’s premature declaration came before ENIE had even finished tallying ballots in 40% of polling stations. It wasn’t just illegal — it was destabilizing. And in a country with a history of Anglophone separatist unrest, that’s dangerous.
Biya’s Legacy Under Siege
Paul Biya, who took office on November 6, 1982, has ruled longer than any other African head of state alive today. He’s survived coups, uprisings, and international pressure. But this time, the challenge isn’t just from the streets — it’s from within his own political ecosystem. Bakary, a former minister turned fierce critic, has built a coalition of youth, civil society, and disaffected RDPC members. His campaign slogan — "Enough is Enough" — resonated in cities where unemployment hits 40% among those under 30.Biya’s party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (RDPC), still controls parliament, the judiciary, and state media. But the energy on the ground has shifted. For the first time in decades, the opposition isn’t just asking for fair elections — they’re demanding a transition. Bakary’s declaration, however reckless, tapped into that frustration. "They think we’re silent because we’re afraid," a 24-year-old student in Douala told BBC. "But we’re not. We’re just waiting for the right moment to speak."
The Waiting Game
As of October 24, the Constitutional Council remains silent. No deadline has been announced. No press conference scheduled. The delay itself is telling. In 2018, the Council certified results in 11 days. This time? Uncertainty reigns. Analysts suggest the Council may be under pressure to delay — either to allow time for reconciliation or, more ominously, to manipulate the outcome. Either way, the longer they wait, the more fragile the peace becomes.International observers from the African Union and the United Nations have issued statements calling for "transparency and restraint." But with no sanctions threatened and no peacekeeping force on standby, the burden falls squarely on Cameroonians. The military, which has historically backed Biya, remains neutral — for now. But neutrality can turn into complicity with a single order.
What Happens Next?
Three scenarios loom. First: the Council validates Biya’s win by a narrow margin. Protests explode nationwide. Second: the Council declares Bakary the winner. The RDPC refuses to concede, triggering a constitutional crisis. Third: the Council delays so long that Bakary’s movement fractures, and Biya quietly claims victory through inertia. The third option feels most likely — because in Cameroon, silence has always been the most powerful weapon.Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Bakary declare victory before results were official?
Bakary likely sought to galvanize his base and create political momentum before the government could control the narrative. By declaring early, he forced media and international actors to respond — turning his claim into a global story. It’s a tactic used in other African elections, like in Kenya 2017 and Nigeria 2019, where opposition leaders used early claims to pressure institutions into transparency. But in Cameroon’s tightly controlled system, it also risked triggering a violent crackdown.
What’s the significance of the Anglophone regions in this crisis?
The Northwest and Southwest regions have been in a low-intensity conflict with the central government since 2016, when protests over marginalization turned violent. These areas have historically been centers of opposition to Biya’s rule. Protests in Bamenda and Buea aren’t just about this election — they’re the latest flashpoint in a decade-long struggle for autonomy and representation. If the government responds with heavy-handed force, it could reignite full-scale separatist warfare.
Can the Constitutional Council legally delay certifying results beyond 15 days?
Technically, no — the 2019 constitutional amendments set a strict 15-day deadline. But in practice, Cameroon’s institutions have never enforced that rule strictly. In 2011, results took 22 days to certify. The Council has broad discretionary power, and its members are appointed by Biya. A delay, even if technically illegal, is politically feasible. The bigger question isn’t legality — it’s whether the public will accept it.
What role is BBC News Africa playing in this situation?
BBC News Africa isn’t a participant — it’s a witness. Their 3-minute 36-second report, filed by Paul Njie and edited by Anna Okumu, is one of the few independent, verifiable sources of information amid state media blackout. In countries with restricted press freedom, international outlets like BBC often become the primary source of truth. Their footage of protests and Bakary’s declaration has been shared globally, increasing pressure on Yaoundé to act transparently.
Is there any precedent for an opposition leader successfully challenging Biya?
No — not directly. Biya has won every election since 1992, often by margins of 70% or more, amid accusations of fraud and voter suppression. But in 2018, Bakary won 11% of the vote — the strongest opposition showing in decades. This time, with youth mobilization and social media organizing, the opposition may have crossed a threshold. Even if he doesn’t win, Bakary has shattered the myth of Biya’s invincibility — and that’s a revolution in itself.
What should international actors do now?
Calling for calm isn’t enough. The African Union and UN need to demand immediate public access to vote tally data, independent observers at counting centers, and a binding timeline for the Constitutional Council’s announcement. If they stay silent, they’re enabling authoritarianism. Cameroon isn’t just a test of democracy — it’s a warning for the rest of Africa, where leaders cling to power through legal loopholes and media control.
Ajay baindara
October 28, 2025 AT 08:56This Bakary guy is a reckless idiot. Declaring victory before the Constitutional Council even opens its eyes? That’s not activism - that’s anarchy dressed in a suit. Cameroon needs stability, not another circus. Biya’s been around longer than most of you were alive, and he’s still standing. You think a tweet and a protest are gonna change that? Wake up.
mohd Fidz09
October 28, 2025 AT 19:47OH MY GOD. DID YOU SEE THAT?! Bakary just dropped the nuclear option and the whole damn continent held its breath!! 🌍💥 This isn’t politics - this is Shakespearean tragedy with Wi-Fi! The man didn’t just break the rules, he set them on fire, danced on the ashes, and livestreamed it to 17 million viewers! Meanwhile, Biya’s probably sipping tea in his 43rd-year throne room, whispering, ‘They still don’t get it.’ The Anglophones? They’ve been waiting for this moment since 2016. This? This is the spark. The fuse is lit. The whole damn house is gonna burn. And I’m here for it. 😭🔥
suraj rangankar
October 28, 2025 AT 20:33YES!! THIS IS IT!! THE MOMENT WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR!! 🙌🔥 Bakary didn’t wait for permission - he took power with his voice!! And guess what? The youth are finally standing up!! No more silence!! No more fear!! The streets are alive, the social media is exploding, and the world is watching!! This isn’t just an election - it’s a REVOLUTION!! You think Biya’s got 43 years of control? That’s over!! The new Cameroon is being written RIGHT NOW!! GO BAKARY!! GO CAMEROON!! 🇨🇲💪
Nadeem Ahmad
October 28, 2025 AT 21:06Interesting how everyone’s acting like this is the first time an opposition leader made a bold move. Been there, seen it. The real story is how quiet the military is. That’s the real red flag.