The Gambian government confirmed on Sunday that it is temporarily hosting Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who fled his country following a disputed presidential election that returned long-time President Paul Biya to power, sparking deadly protests.
In an official statement released Sunday, The Gambia’s Ministry of Information announced that Tchiroma arrived in the small West African nation on November 7. The ministry stated the opposition figure is “being hosted purely on humanitarian grounds and for the purpose of ensuring his safety.”
The confirmation of Tchiroma’s presence in The Gambia was corroborated by his spokesperson, Aliscom, in a separate statement on Sunday.
The political crisis stems from the October 12th election in Cameroon, which official results say secured an eighth term for 92-year-old President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest head of state. The Cameroonian opposition has vehemently contested the outcome.
Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who was a rival candidate in the election, has claimed that he actually won the vote. He has publicly called on the citizens of Cameroon to reject the official results announced by the government.
In response to his actions, the Cameroonian government has stated it plans to initiate legal proceedings against Tchiroma for his repeated calls for insurrection.
The situation underscores the ongoing political tension in Cameroon, where the election has triggered unrest and forced a prominent opposition leader to seek refuge abroad under humanitarian protection.
