On July 11, 2026, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a leading figure of the Cameroonian opposition, officially lodged two complaints before the Swiss judiciary. The announcement, reported by Journal du Cameroun on July 13, forms part of a legal strategy targeting the Yaoundé regime for acts described as massacres and repressive measures against Cameroonians seeking truth. Based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, the move marks a new stage in the clash between the opposition and European judicial institutions.
A former Minister of Communication and Culture under President Paul Biya, Tchiroma Bakary ran as a candidate in the October 12, 2025 presidential election. His career, marked by ministerial posts and sharp criticism of the government, has given him a prominent profile in Cameroon's political landscape. By positioning himself as the voice of alleged victims, he seeks to turn political grievances into judicial cases, a rare approach in the country's history.
Universal jurisdiction, a principle recognized by several states, allows serious crimes to be prosecuted regardless of where they were committed or the nationality of the perpetrators. Invoking this basis, Tchiroma Bakary submitted two separate dossiers to the Swiss court: one concerning extrajudicial killings, the other concerning arbitrary detentions carried out after the 2020 elections. The complaint, filed in Bern, accuses the Yaoundé government of a terror policy aimed at opponents.
This is not the first time he has turned to foreign courts. In April 2026, the same individual filed a complaint with the French judiciary, also invoking universal jurisdiction for the same alleged crimes. The dual action—first in France, then in Switzerland—reveals a strategy to multiply jurisdictions in order to increase international pressure on the Cameroonian authorities. It also underscores the opposition's perception that the national judicial system is incapable of conducting an impartial investigation.
The backdrop to these moves is a lingering post‑electoral crisis. Since the 2020 elections, human‑rights organisations have reported repressive violence, forced disappearances and summary executions in the Anglophone regions and the North. Tchiroma’s accusations therefore arise in an atmosphere of widespread mistrust, where the international community is repeatedly called upon to monitor Yaoundé’s compliance with its commitments.
Should Swiss courts decide to open an investigation, the repercussions could be manifold. Diplomatically, the indictment of senior Cameroonian officials could further strain bilateral relations already tense over governance and human‑rights concerns. Domestically, the prospect of a foreign trial could fuel opposition demands and bolster calls for institutional reforms. Nevertheless, Swiss jurisdiction is subject to strict evidentiary and admissibility standards.
Observers now await the decision of the Bern cantonal prosecutor’s office. Even a preliminary inquiry would be seen as a symbolic victory for victims and their supporters, whereas a dismissal could reinforce a sense of impunity. In the coming weeks, the handling of the case will serve as a barometer for the international judiciary’s ability to intervene in internal conflicts. For Cameroonians, the stakes remain a quest for justice that transcends borders.
