Cameroon’s opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma has declared victory in the October 12 presidential election, urging long-serving President Paul Biya to concede and “honor the truth of the ballot box.” Tchiroma, a former government spokesperson and minister, broke from Biya’s regime earlier this year and led a campaign backed by multiple opposition parties and civic groups. He praised voters for resisting intimidation and called on state institutions, the military, and security forces to uphold the republic rather than the regime. He stated that he would soon publish detailed results compiled from polling stations. Meanwhile, the government had previously warned that publishing results independently could be considered “high treason.” Final results will be validated by Cameroon’s Constitutional Council and released by October 26 at the latest.
Reuters
