Cameroonian opposition politician Issa Tchiroma Bakary has taken refuge in The Gambia after fleeing his country over safety concerns following the disputed 12 October presidential election.
The Gambian government confirmed that Tchiroma Bakary, who insists he won the election, arrived in the country on 7 November and was allowed entry on humanitarian grounds.
Tchiroma Bakary has accused President Paul Biya’s administration of manipulating the poll to secure the 92-year-old leader an eighth term in office.
READ ALSO: Cameroon’s Biya Declared Winner For the 8th Time in 43years, Remains World’s Oldest President
Official results declared Biya the winner with 53.7% of the vote, while Tchiroma Bakary came second with 35.2%.
He maintains that the election was rigged and has vowed to continue resisting the government until his “victory” is acknowledged.
Safety Concerns and Legal Threats
Before fleeing, Cameroon’s government had threatened to prosecute him for allegedly inciting violent demonstrations that erupted after the election.
Tchiroma Bakary denied the allegations and instead blamed the security forces for the crackdown.
Authorities put the death toll from the post-election unrest at 16, although other groups reported higher figures.
His calls for street protests and “ghost town” actions resulted in heightened tensions across several cities.
Gambia Confirms his Presence
In a statement, the Gambian information ministry said Tchiroma Bakary was being hosted temporarily “purely on humanitarian grounds” to ensure his safety as efforts continue to find a peaceful resolution to Cameroon’s political crisis.
READ ALSO: Cameroon Election: Biya’s 43-Year Rule Faces Test Oct. 12
The authorities stressed that The Gambia would not allow its territory to be used for “subversive activity” against any country.
Until the announcement was made, there had been widespread speculation about his whereabouts.
Political Reactions
The Gambia’s main opposition party, the United Democratic Party (UDP), criticised the government for waiting until Sunday to disclose Tchiroma Bakary’s arrival, saying the delay raised concerns about transparency and accountability.
However, the party expressed pride that The Gambia could offer him safe refuge, noting its understanding of how “despotism operates and how dissenters are treated”.
Tchiroma Bakary previously served in President Biya’s government for several years before emerging as one of his strongest challengers.
SOURCE: BBC
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
