Excerpts of Cameroon’s opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary speech declaring himself winner of the presidential election:
” We have held the regime accountable: either it demonstrates its greatness by accepting the truth of the ballot box, or it chooses to plunge the country into a torment that will leave an indelible scar on the heart of our nation.”
Fellow Cameroonians,
Today, it is with deep emotion and immense pride that I address you. Together, we made history.
I want to begin by saying thank you to the Cameroonian people. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for believing in us, thank you for believing in change. Thank you to all those who voted, and to all those who protected their votes. You are the true heroes of this victory.
I also thank the candidates who have already congratulated me and recognized the will of the people. Their gesture honors our democracy and marks the beginning of a new era where the unity of the opposition and civil society becomes an irresistible force.
My dear compatriots, our victory is clear. It must be respected. We have held the regime accountable: either it demonstrates its greatness by accepting the truth of the ballot box, or it chooses to plunge the country into a torment that will leave an indelible scar on the heart of our nation.
I want to say this with gravity and simplicity: the people have chosen. And this choice must be respected.
I call on all institutions, all administrative authorities, all leaders not to make themselves enemies of the people they are supposed to serve. The time for fear, manipulation, and miscalculation is over. The only side that matters today is Cameroon’s.
To our defense and security forces, I pay tribute to your loyalty. I call on you to remain on the side of the Republic and of peace. Do not let anyone divert you from your sacred mission: to protect the people, not a government.
To the youth of Cameroon, I say: the future belongs to you.
To our teachers, our workers, our farmers, our soldiers, our journalists, and our diaspora, I say again: you stood firm, and you won.
This victory is not that of one man, nor that of a party. It is the victory of a people. It is the victory of Cameroon.
My dear compatriots, the whole world is watching us. History is watching us. Let us rise to this moment. We ask the current regime to demonstrate greatness and honor the truth of the ballot box with an expected gesture: this congratulatory phone call that will demonstrate the political maturity of our nation and the future strength of our democracy.
