Issa Tchiroma Turns Garoua Supporters Against Biya Regime

The Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, has called on his party’s supporters to rise above “42 years of misery” under President Paul Biya’s administration by voting for change in the upcoming presidential election.

In a viral video circulating online, the former Minister of Communication and President of the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FSNC) party is seen addressing his party supporters in Garoua, speaking in the local Fulfulde language.

“As I told you, it rained by God’s will, but God won’t sow for us. It’s time for each of us to do our job, register on the electoral list, and get our cards to make a bold choice that will lift us out of 42 years of misery…,” Tchiroma is quoted as saying.

He urged the public to reject any political option that has caused suffering, adding that Cameroonians have endured decades of hardship, including poverty and high unemployment, and should take control of their destiny through the ballot.

“Anyone who invites you to vote for something that’s already known to be the cause of your suffering is your enemy. Do you understand? You know a particular party has caused you problems: your young girls remain unmarried because young men lack professional activities (and income), despite their many prayers for decent men.

His recent message is being viewed as a dramatic break from his long-time support for the Biya government, where he has held three Ministerial positions.

Contrary to what other top government officials often say, he said his people are wandering in poverty and unemployment, which he attributed to a regime that has been in power for 42 years.

“As you know, in our context, a man is only valuable when he has a revenue-generating activity. How will they achieve this if they fail every competitive exam? Moreover, there are no worthy investments to help them; they wander in indescribable poverty. And in these conditions, someone stands up and wants to force you to vote for a person or party whose only project is to bring you more misery. Isn’t this a real calamity? Only your awareness can protect you from this calamity.

“Even if I, Tchiroma, tell you tomorrow to vote for those responsible for your misfortunes, consider me your enemy. What you see me doing is because I’m in front of you. Tomorrow or the day after, I’ll be back among you. Nothing is more precious to me than you. We may not have lifted you out of poverty yesterday, but if we unite today, we can do it. You’ll emerge from your suffering.”

Now 76, Issa Tchiroma Bakary was once a vocal opposition figure before joining ranks with President Biya’s Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) in a political alliance that granted him several high-profile government appointments.

Over the years, he has served as Minister of Transport (1992–1996), Minister of Communication (2009–2019), and has been Minister of Employment and Vocational Training since 2019.

Despite his longstanding relationship with the Biya regime, Tchiroma has had a turbulent political past.

He was imprisoned for six years in connection with a failed 1984 coup attempt, reportedly led by former President Ahmadou Ahidjo against President Biya.

He was released in 1990 and appointed Minister of Transport two years later.

His recent comments have sparked political debate, as they show a dramatic deviation from his loyal stance toward the ruling party.