Former Biya ally Issa Tchiroma Bakary has resigned from government and declared his presidential candidacy, promising reforms and an end to Biya's 42-year rule, sparking debate over his credibility as a change agent.

In a development ahead of Cameroon’s presidential election scheduled for later this year, veteran politician and former government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma Bakary has resigned from his ministerial post and announced his intention to run for president. The unexpected move comes just four months before the polls and marks a striking departure from President Paul Biya’s inner circle, to which Tchiroma had long belonged.

Once one of the most vocal defenders of President Biya’s administration, Tchiroma now accuses the government of betraying the trust of the Cameroonian people. At a press conference held in Yaoundé on Wednesday, he declared his candidacy, pledging to usher in a new era of political accountability, economic recovery, and national unity. His campaign platform includes a promise to introduce federalism as a structural solution to the ongoing Anglophone crisis that has plagued the country’s North-West and South-West regions for years.

"For too long, we have allowed one man and one system to define the destiny of our nation," Tchiroma said. "It is time for Cameroonians to reclaim their future. I am running not just to replace a president, but to change the system that has failed our people."

President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982 and is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, is widely expected to seek re-election, although no official announcement has been made. His administration has come under increasing pressure both domestically and internationally over human rights concerns, poor governance, and a sluggish economy exacerbated by conflict and inflation.

Tchiroma's defection has sent ripples through Cameroonian politics, sparking a wave of mixed reactions. Supporters view his candidacy as a long-overdue shake-up in a political system deeply entrenched in patronage and authoritarianism. Others remain sceptical, questioning whether someone so closely tied to the Biya regime for decades can credibly position himself as an agent of change.

"While Mr Tchiroma’s rhetoric is welcome, we must not forget his years of loyalty to a government he now criticises," said political analyst Dr Clarisse Ngono. "The electorate will need more than promises — they will demand action and accountability."

Tchiroma, who previously served as Minister of Communication and held various high-profile roles in government, is known for his oratorical flair and resilience. Born in the north of the country, he commands significant support in that region, but it remains to be seen whether his appeal can translate into national momentum.

As the campaign season begins to take shape, Tchiroma’s candidacy adds a new layer of intrigue to an already tense political landscape. With Cameroonians hungry for reform and weary of decades-long rule, the coming months will test whether a former regime loyalist can convincingly reinvent himself as the face of a new Cameroon.