Issa Tchiroma Bakary Officially Declares 2025 Presidential Bid

With just months remaining before Cameroon’s pivotal 2025 presidential election, Issa Tchiroma Bakary has broken his silence. The former Minister of Communication and former Minister of Employment and Vocational Training—a long-standing figure in Cameroon’s political landscape—has officially announced his candidacy in a powerful 20-page declaration. But more than a campaign launch, it is a political manifesto anchored in urgency, conviction, and a call for national renewal.

Driven, in his words, by “an unshakable faith in our shared destiny,” Bakary delivers an open letter to the Cameroonian people, marked by a solemn tone, contained anger, and a determined hope. He denounces what he calls the exhaustion of a regime “out of breath” and urges the country to embrace sweeping democratic change.
“Alternation is not a threat; it is the breath of the Republic,” he proclaims, calling for a transition that is “exemplary, republican, and peaceful.”

A Clear Break with the Past

Bakary makes no effort to soften his critique. He argues that the current system has “broken the bond of trust between the state and its citizens.” To him, the model that has governed Cameroon for decades has stifled reform and silenced collective ambition.
“It’s time to turn the page—not in brutality, but out of necessity,” he states.

While his stance is resolute, Bakary insists on a non-violent path forward.
“I’m not here to sell illusions,” he says. As a former government spokesperson and minister, he claims to have learned from power without becoming enslaved to it.
“I have known power, and I have measured its limits. But I have never betrayed my conscience.”

A Call for Real Democracy

At the heart of his platform is a single, resounding principle: returning power to the people. Throughout his speech, Bakary repeats this message with both lyrical force and rhetorical clarity. He frames voting as sacred, alternation in power as a fundamental right, and electoral reform as a national priority.

Bakary positions himself as a defender of responsible democracy, where “every vote counts,” “every citizen matters,” and “the Republic protects rather than dominates.”

He envisions a unified Cameroon, where diversity is respected and all regions are given “dignified and equitable representation.” This vision takes a clear stand against tribalism and identity politics, which, he warns, “threaten to destroy the national pact.”

Security, Justice, Youth: Priorities for a Breakaway Candidate

In a country facing numerous security challenges—including Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North, the Anglophone crisis, and rising urban crime—Bakary pledges to build a state that is “present, just, and organized,” supported by a “professional, respected army,” capable of protecting citizens without abuse.

Social justice also stands at the core of his agenda. He promises to fight “ordinary injustice,” “systemic favoritism,” and “the culture of impunity.”
“To wield power is to serve, not to serve oneself,” he declares, vowing to punish corruption and reward merit.

Another cornerstone of his vision is youth empowerment. Bakary calls for the younger generation to be “co-authors of change,” actively involved in policymaking and supported by a National Youth Initiative Fund. He emphasizes the transformative potential of technology, innovation, and vocational training, stating:
“Cameroon’s future will be young—or there will be no future at all.”

A Declaration of Intent—or the Start of a Turning Point?

With this bold and solemn declaration, Issa Tchiroma Bakary lays the foundation for an ambitious presidential campaign centered on justice, unity, and democratic renewal. The key question now is how the public will respond—and whether his vision can gain real traction among the electorate.

One thing is certain: his candidacy, coming from someone once seen as deeply embedded within the ruling establishment, reshapes the political landscape. And it reinforces a growing belief—both within Cameroon and abroad—that the 2025 presidential election may mark a true turning point in the nation’s history.

MMI