Mayor Espoir Biyong
A powerful and highly defiant statement has come from Douala V Deputy Mayor Biyong Joseph Espoir, who is expected today before the Senior Divisional Officer (SDO) of Wouri after publicly declaring HE Issa Tchiroma Bakary the rightful winner of Cameroon’s disputed presidential election.
In an open letter addressed to “my dearest countrymen,” Biyong said he is fully prepared to face the consequences of speaking the truth — even if it costs him his life.
“I am willing to sacrifice myself for truth, justice, and democracy and I will not be afraid to do it,”
he wrote.
He compared his current battle to that of the country’s murdered independence heroes, saying:
“It is with great honor that I dream of knowing the same fate as Ruben Um Nyobé, Félix Roland Moumié and Ernest Ouandié.”
Biyong says Cameroon is “at a crossroads,” insisting that:
“Truth is being trampled, justice is trembling, and democracy is threatened.”
He called on the Church, Muslim leaders, and all Cameroonians of good will to rise up against “imposition” and defend the integrity of the election results.
The deputy mayor demands the full publication of all 31,653 polling station results, declaring:
“We must not accept manufactured and out-of-nowhere numbers being imposed on our people.”
He urged citizens to reject the results proclaimed by the Constitutional Council without evidence:
“We cannot accept the figures proclaimed… without proof.”
In one of the strongest passages of his letter, Biyong denounces the Biya government as:
“A terrorist state which kidnaps its citizens, terrorizes, humiliates and detains them in inhumane conditions.”
He added a firm warning:
“We want peace but not peace imposed by terror and tyranny.
We will never be intimidated by fear or oppression.”
He appealed directly to foreign governments and human rights institutions:
“We call on the international community to take responsibility… to help us restore truth and justice to our country.”
He emphasized that the struggle is patriotic, not partisan:
“We are patriots, we love our country, and we want to save it.”
Biyong ends his letter by urging nationwide mobilization:
“We call on all Cameroonians regardless of their status and position to join us in demanding transparency and truth.
We must be united and determined to save our country.”
His final blessing:
“May God let the truth triumph in our country and may God bless Cameroon.”
Biyong’s stance comes amid widespread arrests, enforced disappearances, and harsh repression of supporters of president-elect Issa Tchiroma Bakary following the heavily contested October 12 election. His refusal to retract his previous statements puts him at direct risk of state prosecution — or worse.
As he heads into his meeting with the Wouri SDO, many Cameroonians view Biyong as a symbol of civic courage — and proof that the fight for democratic truth is far from over.
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