Cameroon opposition candidate declares self president-elect

Cameroon’s opposition leader, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has declared himself President-elect following the disputed October presidential election.

He has also announced the appointment of a prominent lawyer and civil society advocate, Maître Alice Nkom, as his official spokesperson.

In a statement released on Monday on his verified social media handle, Tchiroma issued a decree under the title “President-Elect of the Republic” designating Nkom to speak on his behalf.

“Me Alice Nkom, a lawyer at the Bar of Cameroon, a defender of fundamental freedoms and a prominent figure of civil society, is appointed as the Official Spokesperson for the President-Elect of the Republic of Cameroon,” the decree read.

According to the announcement, Nkom is authorised to represent Tchiroma’s positions in institutional, diplomatic and media exchanges, and to coordinate communication for the Presidency-Elect.

He added that the appointment was with immediate effect and will be communicated to national and international partners through appropriate channels.

Tchiroma justified the move by citing what he described as “institutional hostage-taking” that hinders the free expression of the people’s will, insisting that his declaration reflects the sovereign choice of Cameroonians in the October 12 poll.