Issa Tchiroma Bakary’s journey through Cameroon’s political scene is a story of shifting alliances, ministerial roles, and ultimately, a move to challenge the status quo. He’s one of those Cameroon political figures whose career path has seen him serve within the government before striking out on his own.
Understanding his background as a Cameroon government minister gives a lot of context to his current positions.
Early Career and Ministerial Roles
Tchiroma’s early political life saw him involved with opposition parties, notably the Union National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP) in the early 1990s. He even served as its Secretary-General. His electoral success began when he was elected to the National Assembly in 1992.
Not long after, he made a significant move, accepting a ministerial post. This period marked his entry into the executive branch of the Cameroon government.
His time as a minister included significant portfolios:
- Minister of Transport (1992–1996): During this tenure, Tchiroma focused on modernizing infrastructure and transport safety. He pushed for reforms in road safety and regulated air and maritime transport.
- Minister of Communication (2009–2019): As the Minister of Communication Cameroon, Tchiroma was often the public face of the government, especially during challenging times. He was instrumental in initiating discussions about the future of communication and media funding.
- Minister of Employment and Vocational Training (2019–2025): In this role, he worked on developing training programs and partnerships to boost youth employment. He championed initiatives to make vocational training more accessible.
Tchiroma’s career has been marked by a willingness to engage with different facets of governance, from legislative representation to executive leadership. This broad experience has shaped his perspective on the country’s needs.
From Government Minister to Opposition Challenger
Despite holding prominent positions within the government for many years, Tchiroma eventually grew disillusioned. He cited concerns about leadership, power centralization, and the general stagnation he perceived in the state. This growing dissatisfaction culminated in his public resignation from the government in June 2025.
This move wasn’t just a personal decision; it signaled a significant shift in his political stance. Shortly after, he announced his candidacy for the 2025 presidential election, positioning himself as a challenger to the long-standing ruling party. His campaign slogan, “Le peuple au pouvoir / We are the power,” underscored his new direction and his Issa Tchiroma’s vision for Cameroon as one centered on the people.
This transition from a key government figure to a presidential hopeful highlights a determined effort to bring about change, drawing on his extensive background in public service.
Vision and Policy Proposals
Advocacy for Federalism and National Reconciliation
Issa Tchiroma, like many other figures looking to shake things up in Cameroon, is talking a lot about federalism. It’s not just a buzzword for him; he sees it as the real way to fix the country’s long-standing issues, especially the problems in the English-speaking regions.
He believes the current centralized system just isn’t working and has led to a lot of the trouble we’re seeing. Tchiroma’s idea is to shift power away from the capital and give more control to the regions. This, he argues, will make the government more responsive to local needs and help heal some of the divisions that have been festering for years.
He’s also big on national reconciliation. This means trying to bring people together, especially after periods of conflict or unrest. Part of his plan involves looking at how past issues have been handled and finding ways to move forward without leaving people behind.
It’s a complex task, for sure, but he seems to think that a more federal structure is the first step to making real progress on this front.
The current political landscape shows a strong public desire for change, with federalism emerging as a popular idea. Many citizens feel that a decentralized approach could better address regional disparities and foster a greater sense of national unity.
Addressing Youth Unemployment and Corruption
When it comes to the younger generation, Tchiroma has some pretty clear ideas. He knows that a huge number of young Cameroonians are looking for work and opportunities, and frankly, not finding them. He wants to create more jobs, and not just any jobs, but ones that offer real training and a path forward.
He’s talked about making vocational training more accessible and affordable, which makes sense. Lowering the cost of these programs could open doors for a lot more young people who might not have the money otherwise.
He also wants to make sure that companies operating in Cameroon are contributing to training local talent. It’s about building skills within the country, so young people aren’t just looking for work but are equipped to do it. This could involve new laws or incentives to encourage that kind of investment.
On the corruption front, Tchiroma is promising a serious crackdown. He’s suggested doing a full audit of government spending right at the start of his term. This kind of transparency is what people are asking for.
The idea is to get a clear picture of where money has been going and to hold people accountable if things haven’t been handled properly. It’s a tough battle, no doubt, but he’s making it a central part of his platform.
Here’s a quick look at some of his proposed actions:
- Conduct a comprehensive state audit upon taking office.
- Implement policies to increase access to vocational training for young people.
- Introduce measures requiring foreign companies to invest in local workforce development.
- Strengthen anti-corruption measures through increased oversight and accountability.
Cameroon Opposition Leader Tchiroma Declares Victory, Urges Biya to Accept Defeat
Cameroon’s opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma has declared victory in the October 12 presidential election, calling on longtime President Paul Biya to “honour the truth of the ballot box.”
“Our victory is clear and must be respected,” Tchiroma, 76, said in a speech from his hometown of Garoua. The former minister, who broke away from Biya’s government earlier this year, ran with backing from several opposition parties and civic groups.
Biya, 92, Africa’s oldest serving leader, is seeking an eighth term after 43 years in power. Despite expectations that state control would favour him, Tchiroma credited voters for defending their ballots “against intimidation.”
The government has not yet responded, though Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warned that only the Constitutional Council can declare official results, due by October 26.
Tchiroma said he will soon publish vote tallies gathered from polling stations, insisting, “This victory belongs to the people, not one man or party.”
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