Cameroon opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary has called on citizens to take part in a weekly “casserole concert”, urging them to bang pots, pans and plates every Saturday evening in protest over what he describes as the “truth of the ballot” following the disputed 12 October 2025 presidential election.
In a flyer widely on his Facebook page, Tchiroma, who claims he won the presidential vote encourages Cameroonians to make a “joyful noise” from their homes as a form of peaceful resistance. The initiative is being coordinated by the Council for the Sovereignty of Cameroon (CSC), which says it is mobilising citizens to demand recognition of what it calls a “stolen victory”.
However, nearly six months after the controversial election, questions are mounting over whether the former minister’s latest strategy signals a loss of political momentum rather than a breakthrough. Critics argue that the call to bang pots, while symbolic, may reflect dwindling options for a politician who has struggled to convert his claims into tangible political pressure on the ground.
The 2025 presidential election remains one of the most contested in Cameroon’s recent history. Official results declared incumbent Paul Biya the winner, extending his decades-long grip on power. But opposition figures, including Tchiroma, rejected the outcome, alleging widespread irregularities and electoral malpractice.
In the tense aftermath of the vote, Tchiroma left the country, citing security concerns, and has since operated largely from abroad. From exile, he has repeatedly vowed to return to Cameroon and assume office as the “rightful president”, maintaining that the will of the people was subverted. His messages, often delivered via social media broadcasts have sought to keep his political base engaged, even as his physical absence limits direct mobilisation.
Political analysts say the latest “casserole concert” campaign bears resemblance to protest tactics used in other parts of the world, where citizens express dissent from their homes. Yet in Cameroon’s context—marked by political fatigue, economic strain, and security concerns its potential impact remains uncertain. It still remains uncertain whether Cameroonians will follow his call.
As the political standoff over the 2025 election lingers, Tchiroma’s latest move underscores both the persistence of post-election grievances and the challenges facing opposition figures seeking to translate dissent into decisive political outcomes.
Whether the sound of clanging pots will echo as a powerful symbol of resistance, or fade into the background noise of an unresolved political crisis, it remains to be seen.
