By Wilson Musa
YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon — The former minister and opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary has called on the country’s armed forces to bring him back from exile in The Gambia, in his latest appeal amid the country’s ongoing political tensions.
In a video message released on Monday, July 20, Tchiroma addressed the Chief of Defence Staff and members of the defence and security forces, urging them to “take their responsibilities” and support what he described as a peaceful transition of power.
The former government minister, who has been in The Gambia since late 2025 after leaving Cameroon amid the political fallout from the presidential election, again claimed he was the legitimate winner of the vote. He referred to himself as the country’s “elected president” and pledged to build what he described as a more professional and modern military if he assumes office.
Tchiroma also praised members of the armed forces for their role in defending Cameroon’s territorial integrity, while urging them not to support what he called the continued use of force to maintain the current administration.
Concluding his address, the former minister appealed directly to the military to “come and retrieve” him from The Gambia so he could return to Cameroon and, in his words, “serve the Cameroonian people with honour and fidelity.”
The Cameroonian government had not publicly responded to Tchiroma’s latest remarks at the time of publication.
Tchiroma’s latest appeal comes as President Paul Biya remains outside Cameroon, with his prolonged stay abroad continuing to fuel political debate over the country’s leadership and governance.
As of Tuesday, he had spent 44 days out of Cameroon.
