Paris: Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the leader of the National Salvation Front of Cameroon and self-declared President-Elect of the Republic of Cameroon, has taken a significant legal step by filing two criminal lawsuits in the Judicial Tribunal of Paris. The lawsuits, announced on June 12, 2026, target President Paul Biya along with other senior figures in the Cameroonian government, alleging human rights violations in the aftermath of the 2025 presidential election. According to Cameroon News Agency, the legal action is based on the principle of universal jurisdiction and seeks to hold accountable high-ranking political, civil, police, and military officials. The legal filings are a response to what Tchiroma Bakary describes as 'wild and brutal repression' by the state against demonstrators protesting the results of the October 12, 2025, presidential election. In a detailed communiqué, Tchiroma Bakary accused the state of orchestrating a severe crackdown on citizens demanding electoral transparency. The first la wsuit names 21 individuals, including President Paul Barthélémy Biya Bi Mvondo, Secretary General of the Presidency Ferdinand Ngoh-Ngoh, and Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji, as responsible for the post-electoral repression. The second lawsuit focuses on the case of Anicet Ekané, who died during the unrest, and lists 15 officials, many of whom are also implicated in the first lawsuit. Additionally, 17 men in uniform are accused of opening fire on protesters during the October 2025 demonstrations. On June 12, 2026, Tchiroma Bakary's complaint was registered at the Paris prosecutor's office under number 26163000304. He expressed that seeking justice through Cameroon's domestic channels was futile, labeling them as subjugated to the current regime. Tchiroma Bakary emphasized the importance of international justice in hearing the victims' voices and delivering a fair verdict. The lawsuits are being coordinated by Tchiroma Bakary's spokesperson, Me Alice Nkom, with support from various law yers and civil society actors. Tchiroma Bakary also mentioned plans to reach out to other international bodies concerning allegations of arbitrary detention and violations of fundamental rights. Despite the Constitutional Council declaring Paul Biya as the winner of the October 2025 election, Tchiroma Bakary disputes the outcome, presenting evidence from his own return sheets that he believes prove his victory over Biya.
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