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Reuters
a day ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Cameroon leader's ally quits, launches challenge in political shake-up
YAOUNDE, June 27 (Reuters) - A long-time ally of Cameroon's leader has quit the government to run for president in October elections - a defection that could reshape the West African nation's politics after more than four decades of Paul Biya's rule. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who served as spokesperson for Biya's government from 2009 to 2018, said this week he had resigned as employment minister in response to what he said were widespread calls for change. "As a political leader, I felt called upon to respond to this solicitation from our compatriots from north to south, from east to west," Tchiroma said in an interview with a social media influencer Ben Oumar on YouTube and Facebook on Thursday. Cameroon's communication ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Biya, the world's oldest serving head of state at 92, has not confirmed whether he plans to stand again in the vote. There has been widespread speculation in Cameroon about a possible succession battle in the ruling coalition. Tchiroma's challenge could shake the ruling party's confidence ahead of what many anticipate will be a historic election — possibly the first without Biya since 1982. Cameroon has had just two presidents since independence from France and Britain in the early 1960s. It would also mark a major political realignment in the northern regions – Tchiroma's home base – which has traditionally delivered strong support for Biya's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM). Tchiroma is the leader of the Cameroon National Salvation Front, a CPDM-allied party, and has previously also served as transport and communication minister. He announced his plans in an open letter on Wednesday, in which he said that Biya's administration had stifled progress and paralysed institutions. Tchiroma said on Thursday his goals include a referendum on federalism, which would grant more power to provinces. He also vowed to prioritize youth employment, education and agricultural modernization. Tchiroma could still face an uphill battle in a political system where incumbency, patronage and party machinery wield enormous influence. But he is now arguably the most influential northern opposition figure, and his defection signals a potential realignment of elites, Munjah Vitalis Fagha, a political scientist at the University of Buea, told Reuters. Tchiroma's candidacy may open the door for other northern figures like Bello Bouba Maigari of the National Union for Democracy and Progress to declare bids, Fagha and other analysts said.
France 24
2 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Cameroonian minister announces election bid after leaving Paul Biya government
A Cameroon minister who resigned this week on Thursday confirmed he will stand in this year's presidential election, stating he wants to "put an end to the old system". Issa Tchiroma Bakary, long an ally of veteran President Paul Biya, first announced his intention to stand in an open letter posted on social media on Wednesday evening, then confirmed his ambition in a live online broadcast 24 hours later. The former employment and vocational training minister is a well-known political figure in Cameroon and leads the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC), which has long been allied to Biya's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM). Biya, 92, has been in power since 1982 and has yet to indicate whether he will stand for re-election in the October vote. Tchiroma, 75, was transport minister from 1992 to 1996, then held the communications brief from 2009 to 2019, and was one of the government's staunchest defenders. "The time has come for the current regime to step down with dignity," he said during Thursday's broadcast, calling for a break with "a model in place for decades that has shown its limits". He also called for reconciliation in a country facing multiple crises, including insecurity in the English-speaking regions and Far North, as well as social tensions, economic concerns and a fraught political climate. The CPDM has not yet announced its candidate, while the opposition is struggling to unite behind a consensus figure. Tchiroma's candidacy comes as several longstanding supporters of Biya appear to be distancing themselves from the Cameroon leader.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police surround home of presidential hopeful in Cameroon
Cameroon's main opposition leader Maurice Kamto says police have surrounded his home for the past two days since he returned from France, where he had held a political rally that inflamed the ruling CPDM party. On Sunday law enforcement officers blocked the 71-year-old from leaving his lodgings in the main city of Douala for a meeting with members of his Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party. He later called off plans to hold the meeting on Monday because of the strong police presence. Kamto plans to contest Cameroon's presidential election later this year, hoping to end 92-year-old Paul Biya's four-decade grip on power. Biya has not yet declared whether he will stand for re-election. Kamto spent nine months in detention after contesting the 2018 poll, when the authorities accused the former law professor of insurrection following protests by his supporters who claimed that the poll had been rigged in favour of Biya. The government denied the allegation. While in Paris last month, Kamto promised to protect Biya and his family if he wins October's election. "When you do me the great of honour of entrusting me with the reins, you can be sure that nothing will happen to Mr Biya and his family. Nothing. I guarantee it, I have no time for hatred. I [only] have time to build Cameroon with you," he told thousands of Cameroonians living in the diaspora who had turned up to his rally on 31 May. This did not go down well with ruling party officials, with one calling his comments "pathetic". "What protection do they need? Which family are we talking about?," asked Labour Minister Grégoire Owona in a Facebook post, adding, "Cameroon is not in danger." Following Kamto's return, security has been tightened in parts of Douala. Police officers on the ground told the BBC on Monday that they had been instructed to watch the neighbourhood where Kamto was staying, and the media was not allowed to film. Footage filmed in the city on Sunday evening showed Kamto telling supporters "as I speak, I'm still sequestered". "Go home in calm and dignity," he told chanting supporters who had gathered at the scene. Police and gendarme officers had also restricted access to the CRM party building that Kamto was trying to reach, saying the meeting was not authorised. But Kamto denies this, saying local authorities and law enforcement officials were informed that he was coming to the city for a meeting. As the election approaches, rights groups have condemned the government's crackdown on dissent in the Central African nation. Parliamentary elections that were also supposed to take place earlier this year have been delayed until 2026. Biya has been in power for 42 years and is one of the world's oldest heads of state. Last year the country banned reports on the president's health, following rumours that he had died. Kamto's eligibility to run for the presidency is in question, because Cameroonian law demands that any political party must already have elected representatives in place if its leader wishes to run for president. At the last presidential election Kamto's CRM party had one senator, but going into this election it has no elected officials. Alternatively Kamto could run as an independent candidate, for which he would need 300 signatures from designated personalities from across the country. Yet Kamto insists there is "no legal obstacle" stopping his bid for the presidency, and CRM representative Guy Tassé told the AFP news agency that there was "a political manoeuvre by the regime to try to block the candidate they fear because he embodies real change". The country is also in the throes of a separatist insurgency - with rebels demanding independence for Cameroon's two English-speaking provinces, which are home to 20% of the population. In the near-decade since the conflict began, at least 6,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands forced from their homes. 'Nowhere is safe' - Cameroonians trapped between separatists and soldiers Art curator Koyo Kouoh dies at height of career The lawyer risking everything to defend LGBT rights Paul Biya: Cameroon's 'absentee president' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Police surround home of presidential hopeful in Cameroon
Cameroon's main opposition leader Maurice Kamto says police have surrounded his home for the past two days since he returned from France, where he had held a political rally that inflamed the ruling CPDM party. On Sunday law enforcement officers blocked the 71-year-old from leaving his lodgings in the main city of Douala for a meeting with members of his Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) party. He later called off plans to hold the meeting on Monday because of the strong police presence. Kamto plans to contest Cameroon's presidential election later this year, hoping to end 92-year-old Paul Biya's four-decade grip on power. Biya has not yet declared whether he will stand for re-election. Kamto spent nine months in detention after contesting the 2018 poll, when the authorities accused the former law professor of insurrection following protests by his supporters who claimed that the poll had been rigged in favour of Biya. The government denied the allegation. While in Paris last month, Kamto promised to protect Biya and his family if he wins October's election. "When you do me the great of honour of entrusting me with the reins, you can be sure that nothing will happen to Mr Biya and his family. Nothing. I guarantee it, I have no time for hatred. I [only] have time to build Cameroon with you," he told thousands of Cameroonians living in the diaspora who had turned up to his rally on 31 May. This did not go down well with ruling party officials, with one calling his comments "pathetic". "What protection do they need? Which family are we talking about?," asked Labour Minister Grégoire Owona in a Facebook post, adding, "Cameroon is not in danger." Following Kamto's return, security has been tightened in parts of Douala. Police officers on the ground told the BBC on Monday that they had been instructed to watch the neighbourhood where Kamto was staying, and the media was not allowed to film. Footage filmed in the city on Sunday evening showed Kamto telling supporters "as I speak, I'm still sequestered". "Go home in calm and dignity," he told chanting supporters who had gathered at the scene. Police and gendarme officers had also restricted access to the CRM party building that Kamto was trying to reach, saying the meeting was not authorised. But Kamto denies this, saying local authorities and law enforcement officials were informed that he was coming to the city for a meeting. As the election approaches, rights groups have condemned the government's crackdown on dissent in the Central African nation. Parliamentary elections that were also supposed to take place earlier this year have been delayed until 2026. Biya has been in power for 42 years and is one of the world's oldest heads of state. Last year the country banned reports on the president's health, following rumours that he had died. Kamto's eligibility to run for the presidency is in question, because Cameroonian law demands that any political party must already have elected representatives in place if its leader wishes to run for president. At the last presidential election Kamto's CRM party had one senator, but going into this election it has no elected officials. Alternatively Kamto could run as an independent candidate, for which he would need 300 signatures from designated personalities from across the country. Yet Kamto insists there is "no legal obstacle" stopping his bid for the presidency, and CRM representative Guy Tassé told the AFP news agency that there was "a political manoeuvre by the regime to try to block the candidate they fear because he embodies real change". The country is also in the throes of a separatist insurgency - with rebels demanding independence for Cameroon's two English-speaking provinces, which are home to 20% of the population. In the near-decade since the conflict began, at least 6,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands forced from their homes. 'Nowhere is safe' - Cameroonians trapped between separatists and soldiers Art curator Koyo Kouoh dies at height of career The lawyer risking everything to defend LGBT rights Paul Biya: Cameroon's 'absentee president' Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
09-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Maurice Kamto: Police surround home of opposition firebrand in Cameroon
Cameroon's main opposition leader Maurice Kamto says police have surrounded his home for the past two days since he returned from France, where he had held a political rally that inflamed the ruling CPDM Sunday law enforcement officers blocked the 71-year-old from leaving his lodgings in the main city of Douala for a meeting with members of his Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) later called off plans to hold the meeting on Monday because of the strong police plans to contest Cameroon's presidential election later this year, hoping to end 92-year-old Paul Biya's four-decade grip on power. Biya has not yet declared whether he will stand for re-election. Kamto spent nine months in detention after contesting the 2018 poll, when the authorities accused the former law professor of insurrection following protests by his supporters who claimed that the poll had been rigged in favour of Biya. The government denied the in Paris last month, Kamto promised to protect Biya and his family if he wins October's election. "When you do me the great of honour of entrusting me with the reins, you can be sure that nothing will happen to Mr Biya and his family. Nothing. I guarantee it, I have no time for hatred. I [only] have time to build Cameroon with you," he told thousands of Cameroonians living in the diaspora who had turned up to his rally on 31 did not go down well with ruling party officials, with one calling his comments "pathetic"."What protection do they need? Which family are we talking about?," asked Labour Minister Grégoire Owona in a Facebook post, adding, "Cameroon is not in danger."Following Kamto's return, security has been tightened in parts of officers on the ground told the BBC on Monday that they had been instructed to watch the neighbourhood where Kamto was staying, and the media was not allowed to film. Footage filmed in the city on Sunday evening showed Kamto telling supporters "as I speak, I'm still sequestered". "Go home in calm and dignity," he told chanting supporters who had gathered at the and gendarme officers had also restricted access to the CRM party building that Kamto was trying to reach, saying the meeting was not Kamto denies this, saying local authorities and law enforcement officials were informed that he was coming to the city for a the election approaches, rights groups have condemned the government's crackdown on dissent in the Central African elections that were also supposed to take place earlier this year have been delayed until 2026. Biya has been in power for 42 years and is one of the world's oldest heads of state. Last year the country banned reports on the president's health, following rumours that he had died. Kamto's eligibility to run for the presidency is in question, because Cameroonian law demands that any political party must already have elected representatives in place if its leader wishes to run for the last presidential election Kamto's CRM party had one senator, but going into this election it has no elected Kamto could run as an independent candidate, for which he would need 300 signatures from designated personalities from across the Kamto insists there is "no legal obstacle" stopping his bid for the presidency, and CRM representative Guy Tassé told the AFP news agency that there was "a political manoeuvre by the regime to try to block the candidate they fear because he embodies real change".The country is also in the throes of a separatist insurgency - with rebels demanding independence for Cameroon's two English-speaking provinces, which are home to 20% of the the near-decade since the conflict began, at least 6,000 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands forced from their homes. You may also be interested in: 'Nowhere is safe' - Cameroonians trapped between separatists and soldiersArt curator Koyo Kouoh dies at height of careerThe lawyer risking everything to defend LGBT rightsPaul Biya: Cameroon's 'absentee president' Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
