2025 Presidential Elections in Cameroon: Issa Tchiroma’s Reckoning: From Denial to Dialogue, A Presidential Blueprint for Peace in Cameroon
In a candid and politically charged interview with Mimi Mefo Info, former Minister of Communication Issa Tchiroma Bakary made headlines by publicly acknowledging the Anglophone crisis, a conflict he once denied it existence. His admission marks a dramatic shift in his ideology about the ongoing Anglophone conflict, signaling what many now see as a genuine transformation from government mouthpiece to independent reformist.
As Cameroon approaches a pivotal election season, wherein votes will be cast on 12 October 2025, Tchiroma’s new stance may well position him as the most viable candidate to challenge the incumbent regime.
During his tenure as Minister of Communication, Tchiroma was widely criticized for parroting official narratives that dismissed the Anglophone crisis as fiction. He famously declared, “There is no Anglophone problem,” a statement that echoed the government’s hardline stance. But in his recent interview, he retracted that claim, explaining that he was merely relaying information handed to him by the government. “I said there was no Anglophone problem because that was the information I received,” he confessed. “My role was to defend institutions and deliver communications approved by the ministry. I had no autonomy.”
This admission is more than a political pivot—it’s a personal reckoning. Tchiroma acknowledged that he was misled and that the true nature of the crisis was deliberately kept from him. Once he understood the root causes, he issued a public apology and began advocating for inclusive dialogue as the only path forward.
The Anglophone crisis, rooted in decades of marginalization of English-speaking Cameroonians in the North West and South West regions, escalated into a violent conflict in 2017 with devastating consequences. Civilians have been mutilated, decapitated, and killed. Schools have shut down, villages have been razed, and thousands have been displaced.
Tchiroma now openly admits that some atrocities were committed by the military, an admission that few former government officials have dared to make. “I 100 percent agree that the military committed atrocities,” he said. “But as Minister of Communication, my duty was to defend our armed forces. Today, I speak as a free man.”
Tchiroma’s proposed solution is rooted in dialogue, not force. He envisions a national reconciliation process that includes:
- Immediate release of political prisoners to foster trust and inclusion.
- Unconditional dialogue involving all stakeholders, including separatist leaders, civil society, and diaspora voices.
- Truth and reconciliation mechanisms to address past abuses and promote healing.
- Decentralization reforms that empower local governance and respect cultural identities.
He emphasizes that violence has only deepened the divide and that military solutions have failed to bring lasting peace. “Only dialogue can solve this problem. Violence will never be the answer,” he declared.
Tchiroma’s transformation has sparked debate: is this a sincere change of heart or a strategic rebranding ahead of the 2025 elections? Critics point to his past as a staunch defender of the regime, while supporters argue that his willingness to admit fault and propose concrete solutions sets him apart from other candidates.
According to Mimi Mefo Info, Tchiroma’s pivot may be the most significant ideological shift in Cameroonian politics in recent years. His blueprint for peace, combined with his insider knowledge of government operations, could make him a formidable challenger.
Whether Cameroonians will embrace Tchiroma’s new vision remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: his voice has changed. No longer echoing official scripts, he now speaks with conviction, humility, and a sense of urgency. In a nation yearning for peace, that may be the most powerful message of all.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
