Cameroon's opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has called on opposition parties to boycott the legislative and municipal elections scheduled for February 7, 2027. He cited a lack of transparency in the electoral process, particularly with regards to the institutions responsible for organizing and supervising the polls. Tchiroma, who is currently in exile in Gambia, has been a vocal critic of the government.
Tchiroma's call for a boycott comes after the October 2025 presidential election, which was won by incumbent President Paul Biya with 53.66% of the vote. However, Tchiroma and other opposition parties rejected the results, claiming that the election was rigged. Tchiroma's own party, the Front for National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC), was suspended and banned from activity for three months by the government in late October.
In a statement published on his Facebook page, Tchiroma urged opposition parties not to participate in what he described as a "masquerade" election. He accused the government of attempting to "confiscate the sovereign choice of the people" and claimed that the electoral process was not transparent. Tchiroma also criticized the institutions responsible for organizing the election, including Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) and the Constitutional Council.
Tchiroma's opposition to the election process is rooted in his concerns about the lack of reforms and the continued dominance of the ruling party. He claimed that the February 2027 elections would be a "repetition" of the October 2025 presidential election, which was marred by violence and repression. According to Human Rights Watch, nearly 2,000 people were arrested during the post-election protests.
The government has recognized that hundreds of people were arrested during the protests, and some are still being held. Tchiroma has vowed to take part in a "political and citizen struggle" to prevent the elections from taking place. He has also claimed that there were "nearly a hundred" deaths and thousands of injuries and arrests during the post-election violence.
Despite Tchiroma's call for a boycott, no other opposition party has announced its intention to do so. The government has not responded to Tchiroma's statement, but it is likely that the elections will go ahead as scheduled. The international community has been watching the situation closely, with concerns about the stability and democratic credentials of the country.
The February 2027 elections will be a significant test of the country's democratic institutions and the government's commitment to transparency and accountability. Tchiroma's call for a boycott has highlighted the ongoing tensions between the opposition and the government, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.
Key points
- Issa Tchiroma Bakary calls for boycott of February 2027 legislative and municipal elections.
