A senior defence source, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told The Independentist that the regime has hired a Chinese cybersecurity company to trace and neutralize suspected defectors within the army.
By The Independentist Investigations Desk
Yaounde Saturday, November 1, 2025 – Tension is rising inside Cameroon’s armed forces following a stunning claim by opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary that sections of the military have switched their loyalty from President Paul Biya to him.
Speaking early Friday, Tchiroma declared that “a good number of soldiers and officers are now standing behind me and ensuring my safety.” His message, broadcast from an undisclosed location, has shaken the political establishment and sent waves of anxiety through the barracks.
An Army No Longer United
According to multiple well-placed sources in Yaoundé and the Far North, the once-tight command structure of the Cameroonian army is now split into competing blocs. Insiders estimate that roughly 20 percent of troops now sympathize with Tchiroma, around 30 percent remain firmly loyal to Biya, and half the force stays undecided or “waiting to see who survives the storm.” The Ministry of Defence has not commented publicly, and CRTV has avoided mentioning the claim.
Behind closed doors, however, senior officers are reported to be holding emergency meetings. Several field commanders have been recalled for questioning, and night patrols have increased around military installations in Yaoundé, Garoua, and Ngaoundéré.
China Steps In — The Cyber-Surveillance Twist
A senior defence source, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, told The Independentist that the regime has hired a Chinese cybersecurity company to trace and neutralize suspected defectors within the army.
The firm’s brief reportedly includes:
monitoring WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram communications emanating from the Grand North;
Identifying soldiers thought to be in contact with Tchiroma’s network; and
compiling a list of those officers so that their salaries can be blocked and access to the army intranet suspended.
If confirmed, this would mark the first time in Cameroonian history that foreign contractors have been given direct access to sensitive military communications. Critics say the move proves the regime’s growing dependence on foreign surveillance technology to police its own troops.
Cyber-policy experts contacted by The Independentist warn that the partnership could allow Beijing-linked firms to harvest data on Cameroon’s entire defence infrastructure — “a long-term strategic cost disguised as a short-term solution.”
Silence in Yaoundé
Neither the Ministry of Defence nor the Presidency has responded to the allegations. The government press office simply stated that “national unity remains intact” and urged citizens “not to listen to rumours.” Meanwhile, civil-society groups in Douala report an uptick in arrests of young men accused of “spreading false information” online — a sign that the security services are on high alert.
A Regime on Borrowed Time
Observers say the turmoil reflects the deep fatigue of a system built around one man. At 92, Paul Biya remains Africa’s oldest head of state. His latest re-election on October 12 was met with widespread skepticism: no major world power has publicly congratulated him, and the United Nations has reportedly expressed concern about “irregularities and repression.”
For decades, Biya’s power rested on two pillars — the army and fear. Now both appear to be cracking.
“Once soldiers begin to ask who they truly serve, the end of an era has begun,” says a retired colonel now living in Europe.
Ambazonia Watches the Collapse
Across the border, the Government of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia (in Exile) says it is closely monitoring developments in Yaoundé. An Ambazonian spokesperson told The Independentist: “When a regime starts importing foreign cyber-police to spy on its own army, it shows total loss of confidence. What we are witnessing is the implosion of the colonial machinery that has oppressed Southern Cameroons for decades.”
The Ambazonian leadership added that it seeks no escalation, only international recognition of the separate historical and legal status of Ambazonia.
“We urge all sides to respect human life and international law as this crisis unfolds,” the statement said.
Unanswered Calls
Repeated attempts to reach Issa Tchiroma by WhatsApp on Saturday went unanswered. His aides say he remains in a “secure location” and will speak “when conditions permit.” The Defence Ministry has made no comment, and troop movements in several northern towns suggest heightened alert levels.
Key Points
Cameroon’s army shows visible internal fractures after disputed elections. Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary claims soldiers are protecting him. Regime insiders say a Chinese cybersecurity firm has been hired to trace defectors and block their pay. While Ambazonia calls it proof of a collapsing colonial system and urges calm observation.
This report is part of The Independentist’s ongoing coverage of political transitions and security shifts in Central Africa.
The Independentist Investigations Desk
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