In a dramatic escalation of Cameroon’s post-electoral crisis, opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who proclaims himself president-elect following the disputed October 12 vote has called for a nationwide Day of Mourning on Friday, November 21, 2025.
The announcement came in a solemn declaration released on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, in which Tchiroma accused the “illegitimate regime” of ignoring both the electorate’s will and his earlier ultimatum demanding the release of political detainees.
Tchiroma, a long-time political actor and former government minister, has positioned himself as the victor of the October polls despite the official results declaring incumbent authorities the winners. His declaration marks one of his most forceful addresses since contesting the results and alleging large-scale fraud.
A ‘Day of Silence, Remembrance, and Resistance’
In his proclamation, Tchiroma urged Cameroonians at home and abroad to suspend all activity on November 21. He called for businesses, administrative offices, and public services across the country to close for what he described as a “public holiday” devoted to mourning those who “fell under the bullets of a desperate regime.”
According to his statement, these casualties include minors, young adults, and parents whom he characterized as “martyrs” of the political crisis, allegedly targeted during demonstrations challenging the electoral outcome.
Independent verification of casualty figures remains limited, with the government denying accusations of excessive force.
At exactly noon, Tchiroma called for a nationwide minute of silence, and he invited religious leaders of all denominations to hold prayer gatherings honoring the deceased. The day, he emphasized, is intended not only as a tribute but as “an act of resistance” echoing historical moments of political defiance in Cameroon’s modern history, including the 1955 nationalist struggle and the 2008 protests.
Condemnation of the Government
Tchiroma reiterated accusations of electoral theft and condemned what he called “perjury” by members of the outgoing administration, whom he said had sworn their oaths “after stealing an election.” The declaration framed the government’s refusal to release detainees as further evidence of bad faith, despite reports of some minors being freed following domestic and international pressure.
“There are still many, far too many, in detention,” he said, asserting that arrests continue despite mounting calls for de-escalation.
The Cameroonian government has consistently rejected Tchiroma’s claims, insisting that the electoral process was lawful and overseen by established institutions. Officials have dismissed his self-proclamation as unconstitutional and destabilizing.
Commitment to ‘Active and Passive Resistance’
Tchiroma’s address signals a shift from rhetorical protest to what he described as a coordinated strategy of “active and passive resistance.” While he did not provide detailed instructions, he promised further directives in the coming days.
He also announced plans for a support fund for victims of the political unrest, with details to be communicated later. Framing his campaign as a moral duty, Tchiroma vowed not to negotiate with or recognize what he termed an “illegitimate” administration.
“I will not back down. I will not negotiate. I will never capitulate,” he declared, reiterating that he would dedicate the remainder of his life to upholding “the truth of the ballot box.”
A Country at an Impasse
Cameroon now faces a deepening political standoff, with the opposition’s rejection of official results intersecting with longstanding frustrations over governance, economic stagnation, and regional inequalities. Civil society groups have voiced concern that continued hardline postures on all sides risk escalating tensions.
As November 21 approaches, the government's response to Tchiroma’s call for a nationwide shutdown remains unclear. Observers warn that the country’s political temperature is reaching a critical point, with both supporters and detractors of the self-declared president-elect bracing for a day that could either galvanize opposition momentum or heighten confrontation.
For many Cameroonians, the events of the coming days may help shape not only the trajectory of the disputed election but also the future contours of national unity, civic freedoms, and political legitimacy.
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