"I am the one capable of leading Cameroonians successfully in this unprecedented fight."
With that bold declaration, Issa Tchiroma Bakari — former minister and longtime ally of President Paul Biya — steps into the spotlight as a major challenger in Cameroon's high-stakes October 12 election. But can a man once loyal to the regime now rally a fractured opposition and inspire a nation desperate for change?
Paul Biya, now 92, has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him the world's longest consecutively serving non-royal leader and Africa's second-longest-ruling president. He quickly consolidated power through a controversial coup attempt in 1984. Though Biya introduced multi-party politics in the 1990s, every election since then has been marred by allegations of fraud and suppression.
Despite his age and mounting criticism, Biya declared his candidacy for the 2025 election, sparking renewed debate over democracy, longevity, and leadership in Cameroon.
Join Mimi Mefo and George Okachi on Under the Baobab as they dig into Tchiroma's transformation from regime insider to opposition hopeful. Can he unify the opposition in time? Will voters embrace his vision, or remain loyal to the aging titan?