Cameroon Opposition Leader Issa Tchiroma Declares Victory Before Official Results
In a nearly five-minute video statement posted on social media early Tuesday, Tchiroma proclaimed himself the winner and urged President Paul Biya, the 92-year-old incumbent, to concede defeat. “The people have chosen, and this choice must be respected,” he said in the video, calling on Cameroonians to defend what he described as a “historic transition.” However, the government quickly cautioned that only the Constitutional Council has the legal authority to declare results. The body has up to two weeks to release the official outcome. Tchiroma, once a government spokesman and close ally of Biya for two decades, resigned in June to mount a challenge. His campaign drew massive crowds and endorsements from a coalition of opposition groups — making him the strongest challenger Biya has faced in years. Despite this, analysts widely expected Biya — Africa’s longest-serving leader with 43 […]
