In a bold political move, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon’s former Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, has officially entered the presidential race, announcing his candidacy barely a day after resigning from government and publicly distancing himself from President Paul Biya, with whom he had long been closely associated.
Tchiroma made the announcement through a comprehensive 24-page document titled “Letter to Cameroonians.” The letter, widely circulated on social media, marks a significant shift in the political landscape and signals Tchiroma’s departure from a regime he once staunchly defended. The former minister begins by paying tribute to what he calls “the founding fathers of the nation,” invoking their legacy as a rallying call in what he characterizes as a moment of national crisis. He warns of a regime “at the end of its tether,” suggesting the current administration is no longer capable of addressing the country’s challenges.
The letter serves not only as a declaration of intent but also as a sharp critique of the government apparatus Tchiroma had been part of for two decades. He offers a candid reflection on his experience in office, admitting, “I have known power and I have measured its limits.” In one of the most striking lines, he states, “A country cannot exist in the service of one man. It must live in the service of its people,” in a direct rebuke of President Biya’s decades-long leadership.
Positioning himself as a reformist alternative, Tchiroma frames the upcoming presidential election as a “historic opportunity” for the nation to reset its course. He introduces key pillars of his proposed platform, including a series of structural reforms aimed at restoring what he describes as a system of “chosen federalism.” Though details remain broad, his message indicates a push toward decentralized governance and increased regional autonomy—ideas that may appeal to a population long disillusioned with centralized power.
However, Tchiroma’s declaration has not been met without resistance. Shortly after his letter began making rounds online, a government decree surfaced—also via social media—signed by the Minister of Territorial Administration. The document, directed to the governor of the Far North region, prohibits political activities by Tchiroma’s party, the National Front for the Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC), within one of the region’s administrative departments.
This swift response from authorities highlights the continued tensions between Tchiroma and the government he once served. It underscores the institutional obstacles he is likely to face as he transitions from a former insider to a challenger seeking to unseat the very leadership he was once part of.
As Tchiroma embarks on this new political chapter, his candidacy sets the stage for a potentially transformative moment in Cameroonian politics, with the electorate watching closely to see if his break from the establishment will resonate with a public yearning for change.