Issa Tchiroma Bakary, presenting himself as the "president-elect by the people" of Cameroon, issued a call to the Cameroonian diaspora on February 27, 2026, denouncing serious human rights violations and a deep economic crisis [cite: source]. According to his statements, the events following the presidential election of October 12, 2025, were marked by severe repression, including 50 deaths and 3,000 arrests [cite: source].
Tchiroma Bakary claims to have won the presidential election with an overwhelming majority, but these results are contested. Official figures declared Paul Biya the winner with 53.66% of the vote, while Tchiroma received 35.19%. Tchiroma rejected these results, denouncing electoral fraud and claiming victory.
Beyond the allegations of political repression, Issa Tchiroma Bakary highlights an alarming economic situation, describing a Cameroonian state in technical bankruptcy, unable to honor its financial commitments and accumulating loans [cite: source]. He emphasizes the direct consequences on the population, including infrastructure delays, a persistent energy deficit, and a lack of access to healthcare [cite: source].
To mobilize support for his cause, Issa Tchiroma Bakary is calling on the Cameroonian diaspora, especially professionals and students abroad, to actively engage [cite: source]. He announced the creation of a platform to structure this engagement and launched an appeal for donations via PayPal to provide assistance to detainees who are victims of repression [cite: source].
The political situation in Cameroon remains tense. Post-election demonstrations have erupted across the country, some resulting in clashes with security forces. Issa Tchiroma Bakary's call to the diaspora aims to create a power dynamic towards a political transition [cite: source]. However, the legitimacy of his claim to electoral victory remains contested, and the Cameroonian authorities have not publicly responded to his accusations [cite: source].
The upcoming legislative and municipal elections, initially scheduled for February 2025, have already been postponed to 2026. President Biya has raised the possibility of a further "readjustment" of the electoral calendar, raising questions about the country's political stability. The situation in Cameroon, a key country in Central Africa, requires special attention, particularly with regard to the independent verification of allegations of human rights violations and economic crisis.
