Cameroon election tensions mount as opposition leader claims victory

Political tension is escalating across Cameroon as rival camps loyal to incumbent 92-year-old President Paul Biya and his main challenger Issa Tchiroma Bakary clash over the outcome of the country’s presidential vote.

On Tuesday, Tchiroma, 79 — Biya’s former ally — declared himself the winner of Sunday’s vote in a Facebook post from his northern hometown of Garoua. He urged Biya to “honour the truth of the ballot box” and concede defeat. Tchiroma’s declaration marked a stunning resistance to his former mentor, whose government he previously served as spokesperson, and signaled a deepening political confrontation building between the two men.

The self-proclaimed victory has defied government warnings against announcing final results before official publication, which is expected by Oct. 26 at the latest.

By Amindeh Blaise Atabong

Full story at Yahoo News