Tchiroma condemns arrest of Prof Aba’a Oyono, Union for Change leaders.

According to reports, BIR soldiers stormed and ransacked the office of Djeukam Tchameni in Bonaberi, Douala IV Subdivision on Friday October 24, before taking him into custody. 

MANIDEM’s treasurer, Florence Titcho, was also reportedly arrested alongside the party leader.

In a statement issued in few hours later, MANIDEM party denounced what it described as “arbitrary and unjustified arrests” aimed at intimidating Cameroonians who await the proclamation of the October 12 presidential election results.

The communique, signed by the party’s Political Bureau member, Paul Jaurès Tina, demanded the “immediate and unconditional release” of all detained members, including those of the Union for Change coalition.

Also arrested is Fabrice Lena, Campaign Manager for presidential candidate, Seta Caxton Ateki. 

Lena who had congratulated Issa Tchiroma for winning the October 12 presidential election, currently being held at the Bonanjo Judicial Police Station in Douala.

It should be recalled that the Union for Change coalition, to which MANIDEM party leaders belong, had earlier declared Issa Tchiroma Bakary winner of the 2025 presidential election — a claim yet to be confirmed by the Constitutional Council. 

The coalition had called for a national "stay home" protest in celebration of what they termed ' the people's victory’.

Tchiroma condemns arrest

In an outing on Sunday, the candidate of the Cameroon National Salvation Front, FSNC, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, condemned the arrest of Prof Aba’a Oyono.

He wrote: “If the international community doesn't see this abuse of power, really, at some point, it must be stopped”.

Tchiroma questioned that: “How can I explain that: A few days ago, the the Director of Civil Cabinet, DCC, called the union for change coordinators to negotiate, they refuse your proposals and you now arrest them? So, when you tried to negotiate with them, they weren't terrorists?”

He recalled that: “Two days ago, you (DCC) contacted Prof Aba’a, asking him to come and meet you to negotiate on my behalf, I refused and you arrested him?”

“Enough is enough… the people have had enough. Today marks the beginning of liberation and it's just the first step,” Tchiroma said, before accusing the international community of being complicit.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3607 of Monday October 26, 2025