Latest news with #CameroonElections
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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ally of Cameroon president, 92, quits 'broken' government to challenge him
Issa Tchiroma Bakary - a prominent minister and long-time ally of President Paul Biya - has quit Cameroon's government, in the hope of ending 92-year-old Biya's four-decade grip on power in upcoming elections. Just four months before the central African nation goes to the polls, Bakary says the Biya administration he was part of has "broken" public trust and he is switching to a rival political party. "A country cannot exist in the service of one man," Tchiroma said on Wednesday. While he was communications minister, Bakary notably came under fire for denying - then backtracking on his denial - that Cameroonian soldiers had killed women and children in a viral video verified by BBC Africa Eye. His other roles during almost two decades in government include being a spokesman for the Biya government and, until his resignation on Tuesday, he was employment minister. Paul Biya - the world's oldest head of state - has yet to confirm if he will stand for president a seventh time. Last year, the country banned reports on the president's health following rumours that he had died. As this election approaches, high unemployment and soaring living costs are of concern to many Cameroonians, as are corruption and security. A separatist insurgency in the English-speaking provinces as well as jihadists operating in the northernmost region have forced many thousands of Cameroonians from their homes in the past decade. Cracks in Bakary's relationship with President Biya were blown open earlier this month, when he told crowds in his home city of Garoua that Biya's time in power had not benefitted them in any way. Bakary continued this criticism in a 24-page manifesto released a day after his resignation, promising to dismantle the "the old system" so that Cameroon could move beyond "abuse, contempt, and the confiscation of power". One of his proposed solutions is federalism - he is offering to hold a referendum on devolving more power to Cameroon's 10 provinces. This has long been mooted by many as a solution to the country's so-called Anglophone crisis. Specifically addressing English-speaking Cameroonians, he said "you do not need people to speak for you - you need to be listened to" and that "centralisation has failed". Bakary also used his manifesto to say Cameroon "has been ruled for decades by the same vision, the same system. This model, long presented as a safeguard of stability, has gradually stifled progress, paralysed our institutions, and broken the bond of trust between the state and its citizens". As the October presidential election approaches, rights groups have condemned the government's crackdown on dissent. Shortly after Bakary announced his plans to run for the presidency, the government reportedly announced a ban on all political activities by his Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF) party in a sub-district of the Far North region - a part of the country where he is said to be an influential power-broker. Weeks earlier, fellow presidential hopeful Maurice Kamto had his movements curtailed during a two-day police stakeout in Douala, after promising supporters at a rally in Paris that he would protect Biya and his family if he wins in October. Parliamentary elections that were also supposed to take place earlier this year have been delayed until 2026. Reaction to Bakary's presidential bid has been mixed - some think he is canny. "By positioning himself as the elder statesman who 'saw the fire coming', Tchiroma is hedging that his break with Biya will be seen as bold - not opportunistic," Cameroonian analyst and broadcaster Jules Domshe told the BBC. "From economic fallout to youth unemployment, insecurity, and growing unrest in the North-West, South-West, and Far North [regions], Cameroon is ripe for change." Opposition voices are divided - some want Bakary to support Kamto, who was the runner-up in 2018 with 14% of votes. But others say Bakary is tainted by his long association with Biya. "He cannot embody change... He was part of the system for too long. The youth do not trust him," says Abdoulaye Harissou, a legal notary and prominent critic once detained by the government. Another member of the opposition - Jean Michel Nintcheu of the APC coalition - simply said: "We don't see Tchiroma as a potential winner." '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 Focus on Africa This Is Africa
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Cameroon's Issa Tchiroma Bakary quits 'broken' government to challenge Paul Biya for president
Issa Tchiroma Bakary - a prominent minister and long-time ally of President Paul Biya - has quit Cameroon's government, in the hope of ending 92-year-old Biya's four-decade grip on power in upcoming four months before the central African nation goes to the polls, Bakary says the Biya administration he was part of has "broken" public trust and he is switching to a rival political party."A country cannot exist in the service of one man," Tchiroma said on he was communications minister, Bakary notably came under fire for denying - then backtracking on his denial - that Cameroonian soldiers had killed women and children in a viral video verified by BBC Africa Eye. His other roles during almost two decades in government include being a spokesman for the Biya government and, until his resignation on Tuesday, he was employment Biya - the world's oldest head of state - has yet to confirm if he will stand for president a seventh time. Last year, the country banned reports on the president's health following rumours that he had this election approaches, high unemployment and soaring living costs are of concern to many Cameroonians, as are corruption and security. A separatist insurgency in the English-speaking provinces as well as jihadists operating in the northernmost region have forced many thousands of Cameroonians from their homes in the past in Bakary's relationship with President Biya were blown open earlier this month, when he told crowds in his home city of Garoua that Biya's time in power had not benefitted them in any continued this criticism in a 24-page manifesto released a day after his resignation, promising to dismantle the "the old system" so that Cameroon could move beyond "abuse, contempt, and the confiscation of power".One of his proposed solutions is federalism - he is offering to hold a referendum on devolving more power to Cameroon's 10 provinces. This has long been mooted by many as a solution to the country's so-called Anglophone addressing English-speaking Cameroonians, he said "you do not need people to speak for you - you need to be listened to" and that "centralisation has failed".Bakary also used his manifesto to say Cameroon "has been ruled for decades by the same vision, the same system. This model, long presented as a safeguard of stability, has gradually stifled progress, paralysed our institutions, and broken the bond of trust between the state and its citizens".As the October presidential election approaches, rights groups have condemned the government's crackdown on after Bakary announced his plans to run for the presidency, the government reportedly announced a ban on all political activities by his Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF) party in a sub-district of the Far North region - a part of the country where he is said to be an influential earlier, fellow presidential hopeful Maurice Kamto had his movements curtailed during a two-day police stakeout in Douala, after promising supporters at a rally in Paris that he would protect Biya and his family if he wins in elections that were also supposed to take place earlier this year have been delayed until to Bakary's presidential bid has been mixed - some think he is canny."By positioning himself as the elder statesman who 'saw the fire coming', Tchiroma is hedging that his break with Biya will be seen as bold - not opportunistic," Cameroonian analyst and broadcaster Jules Domshe told the BBC."From economic fallout to youth unemployment, insecurity, and growing unrest in the North-West, South-West, and Far North [regions], Cameroon is ripe for change."Opposition voices are divided - some want Bakary to support Kamto, who was the runner-up in 2018 with 14% of votes. But others say Bakary is tainted by his long association with Biya."He cannot embody change... He was part of the system for too long. The youth do not trust him," says Abdoulaye Harissou, a legal notary and prominent critic once detained by the member of the opposition - Jean Michel Nintcheu of the APC coalition - simply said: "We don't see Tchiroma as a potential winner." More BBC stories on Cameroon: '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
