Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the National President of the Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF), has emphatically doubled down on his party’s decision to boycott the nation’s upcoming legislative and municipal elections, dismissing the process as a “predetermined” farce.
The reaffirmation came in an official statement posted to Tchiroma’s Facebook page on Thursday and signed by the party’s Acting Secretary General, Elh. Moussa Firissou. The missive leaves no room for ambiguity, stating the CNSF’s position is “immutable” and based on the conviction that the “minimum conditions for a democratic, transparent, and peaceful election are not in place.”
The statement marks a hardening of a stance first adopted by the party late last year. Tchiroma, a veteran political figure who has previously served as a government minister but has in recent years positioned himself as a vocal critic, had initially declared the CNSF’s intention to sit out the polls, citing a lack of electoral reforms and an uneven political playing field.
However, amidst speculation that some opposition factions might reconsider under pressure or for pragmatic gains, Tchiroma has now forcefully closed the door on any participation. The CNSF statement argues that taking part would “amount to legitimising a regime defeated at the ballot box in the presidential election of 12 October 2025, and to endorsing an electoral charade whose results are already predetermined.”
This direct reference to last year’s contentious presidential vote, whose official results are disputed by Tchiroma and some actors, underscores the deepening rift between the government of President Paul Biya and factions of the opposition who claim the entire electoral system lacks credibility.
The CNSF’s declaration positions the party firmly within the camp of those advocating for an outright boycott rather than a contested participation. The statement acknowledges “differing views in the public space” but insists the party “remains unwavering in its commitment to integrity.”
Analysts suggest Tchiroma’s unyielding position increases pressure on other opposition groups to clarify their strategies and could depress turnout, which the government has historically pointed to as a sign of legitimacy. The government and the national electoral body, ELECAM, have consistently rejected claims of bias, asserting that preparations for the elections are inclusive and transparent.
