Veteran Cameroonian politician Issa Tchiroma Bakary has accused elements within the state apparatus of waging “an open war against the Cameroonian people,” after the reported abduction of several of his relatives in Garoua, Northern Cameroon.
In a statement shared on social media under the hashtag #Phase3inAction on Friday, October 31, 2025, the former minister and self-declared President of Cameroon denounced what he described as a campaign of intimidation, repression, and violence against citizens and opposition voices.
“It looks like an open war against the Cameroonian people,” Tchiroma wrote. “They spare nothing: assassinations, repression, and other abuses. They do not want peace. For them, every means must be used to remain in power, because they fear the consequences if they leave.”
Tchiroma, who previously served as Minister of Communication and has long been a controversial figure in Cameroonian politics, said two members of his family and his personal cook were kidnapped in Garoua recently. He accused the perpetrators of attempting to “pressure” him through personal attacks, but vowed not to be silenced.
“Do you think you can pressure me with such acts?” he asked in his statement. “All you will succeed in doing is alienating the people even more. I demand their immediate release, as well as that of all others who have been kidnapped or arbitrarily detained.”
A Voice Turned Against the Establishment
Once known as a staunch defender of President Paul Biya’s administration, Tchiroma’s recent rhetoric marks a striking shift. The seasoned politician, a former government spokesperson and leader of the National Salvation Front Party of Cameroon (FSNC), has in recent years distanced himself from the ruling establishment, increasingly criticizing what he sees as authoritarian excesses and corruption at the heart of the regime.
Analysts suggest that Tchiroma’s statement reflects growing tensions within Cameroon’s political elite, as well as public frustration over insecurity, alleged human rights abuses, and political stagnation under Biya’s decades-long rule.
Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and restrictions on political freedoms, particularly in the country’s Anglophone regions and among opposition supporters.
Uncertain Future, Growing Defiance
As of press time, the identities of those responsible for the abductions cited by Tchiroma had not been independently verified, and the government had issued no public response.
Tchiroma’s appeal for the immediate release of his family members adds to a growing chorus of political voices calling for accountability and reform in Cameroon. Whether this new outcry will prompt a response from authorities remains to be seen. But for now, Issa Tchiroma’s message is unmistakable, a blend of defiance and warning from a man who once sat at the heart of power.
“They fear the consequences if they leave power,” he wrote. “But the more they repress, the more they isolate themselves from the people.”
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