Key Ally of President Biya Resigns to Challenge His Long Rule in Cameroon

Issa Tchiroma Bakary has resigned from his position in Cameroon's government, citing a breakdown of public trust in President Paul Biya's administration. As he prepares to run for president, Bakary advocates for significant reforms, including federalism, while navigating the political landscape marked by dissent and government crackdowns.

Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a prominent member of the Cameroonian government and a long-standing ally of President Paul Biya, has officially resigned from his post, signaling a dramatic shift in the political landscape as the nation gears up for elections in just four months. The 92-year-old president has held power for nearly 40 years, an era Bakary now describes as "broken."

In a statement made on Wednesday, Bakary declared that "a country cannot exist in the service of one man," making it clear that he intends to disrupt Biya’s longstanding rule by switching to a rival political party. His tenure as communications minister was marred by controversy, including a public uproar over his initial denial of government involvement in civilian casualties, which was later affirmed by an independent investigation.

As the oldest head of state globally, Biya has remained noncommittal about his plans to seek a seventh term amid growing speculation surrounding his health. This uncertainty, combined with rampant unemployment, rising living costs, and pervasive corruption, has galvanized public sentiment as frustration mounts over the administration's failure to address pressing issues, including a separatist insurgency in the English-speaking regions and terrorist threats in the north.

Tensions escalated between Bakary and President Biya when he publicly criticized the president's leadership, asserting that it has not benefitted the people of his home region. Following his resignation, Bakary published a manifesto where he pledged to dismantle "the old system" and promote federalism as a solution to the nation’s current crises, particularly addressing the Anglophone issue. He asserted that Cameroonians deserve to be heard rather than spoken for, emphasizing the failure of centralization in governance.

In his manifesto, he expressed that the current governance model has eroded public trust and stagnated progress, claiming that long-standing stability has come at the cost of institutional paralysis. Bakary’s emergence in the electoral race has been met with mixed reactions; while some view him as a wise elder staunching the tide of dissent, others associate him too closely with the Biya regime, raising doubts on his ability to enact genuine change.

Political repression has been a hallmark of Biya’s regime, with recent reports indicating a government ban on political activities tied to Bakary’s newly formed Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF) — particularly troublesome given the timing of his presidential ambitions. This crackdown on dissent has included restrictions on other opposition figures, complicating an already turbulent political landscape.

As the elections approach, voices within the opposition remain polarized over Bakary's potential as a candidate. Some urge collaboration with fellow contender Maurice Kamto, who narrowly lost to Biya in the 2018 elections, while others remain skeptical of Bakary's ability to genuinely represent change due to his long association with the current administration.

For Cameroon, a country beset by social unrest and economic turmoil, the upcoming elections present a pivotal moment that could redefine its political future.