Cameroon’s opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has unilaterally declared victory in the country’s recent presidential election.

In a nearly five-minute video posted on social media early Tuesday, Tchiroma called on long-serving President Paul Biya, 92, to concede. “The people have chosen, and this choice must be respected,” he said.

The government, however, has emphasized that only results officially confirmed by the Constitutional Council are valid. The Council has up to two weeks to announce the official outcome.

A former government spokesman and Biya ally for two decades, Tchiroma emerged as the leading challenger in Sunday’s election after resigning from the government in June. His campaign attracted large crowds and key endorsements from opposition parties and civic groups.

Despite this, Biya—Cameroon’s 43-year incumbent and the world’s oldest serving head of state—was widely expected to secure another seven-year term, given his control over state machinery and the fragmented opposition.

While the government has not formally responded to Tchiroma’s announcement, Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji warned that publishing results independently could be considered “high treason.” Under Cameroonian law, individual polling station results may be posted publicly, but final tallies require validation by the Constitutional Council, which has until October 26 to release the official results.

Filmed in his northern hometown of Garoua in front of the national flag, Tchiroma urged Biya to “honour the truth of the ballot box” and recognize the results as a demonstration of Cameroon’s political maturity and democratic strength. He described the outcome as “a clear sanction” of Biya’s administration and “the beginning of a new era.”

Tchiroma also thanked rival candidates who had congratulated him, calling on government institutions and the military to acknowledge his victory and “stay on the side of the republic.” He added, “Do not let anyone divert you from your mission to protect the people.”