Cameroonian opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary has launched an appeal for national and international generosity to support those imprisoned following post-election tensions. This appeal comes amid an ongoing political crisis in Cameroon, marked by protests against the results of the October 2025 presidential election and mass arrests.
The president of the Front for National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC) expresses concern about the fate of those arrested and detained, describing them as "languishing without trial in jails." He denounces their conditions of detention, reporting them as "starving, deprived of care, meals and visits." Faced with this situation, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, himself a candidate in the 2025 presidential election, is calling for the mobilization of his supporters and the Cameroonian diaspora to provide assistance and comfort to these detainees.
In his appeal, the former minister turns particularly to the Cameroonian diaspora, including engineers at NASA and Silicon Valley, doctors, researchers, teachers, executives, journalists, entrepreneurs and students, urging them to align themselves with the best interests of the nation and contribute to the "battle for the Etoudi Palace." He is seeking their various contributions to support his political action.
The October 2025 elections were marked by strong protests. Issa Tchiroma Bakary had claimed victory even before the official results were announced, denouncing electoral fraud. The Constitutional Council finally declared Paul Biya the winner with 53.66% of the vote, compared to 35.19% for Tchiroma. These results were followed by demonstrations and a wave of arrests. UN sources reported that Cameroonian security forces killed 48 people during the crackdown on post-election protests. The government, for its part, has confirmed a death toll of at least five.
The post-election situation in Cameroon remains tense, with many people in detention and increasing calls for the release of detainees. Issa Tchiroma Bakary's appeal is part of this crisis context and aims to provide humanitarian support to those affected by the post-election events. It remains to be seen to what extent this appeal will be heard and what the concrete impact will be for the detainees and their families.
