In brief
Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a prominent opposition figure in Cameroon, has fled to The Gambia after facing threats from the Cameroonian government following a disputed election. Tchiroma Bakary alleges the electoral process was rigged to favor incumbent President Paul Biya. While in The Gambia, he is being granted temporary asylum for humanitarian reasons. This event highlights the increasing political tensions and the state of unrest in Cameroon, with various organizations differing on the death toll from related protests.
Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who is contesting the outcome of the presidential election, has fled to The Gambia for his safety, The Gambian government has announced.
Tchiroma Bakary has insisted he is the legitimate winner of the 12 October election, alleging that the result was rigged to give President Paul Biya, 92, an eighth term. The Gambian information ministry stated that Tchiroma Bakary arrived on 7 November and was allowed to stay on humanitarian grounds.
Facing potential prosecution in Cameroon for allegedly inciting post-election violence, Tchiroma Bakary denied any wrongdoing and blamed security forces for the crackdown on demonstrators.
The Cameroonian government reported 16 fatalities during the unrest following the electoral results, while other independent organizations have estimated higher casualties. Tchiroma Bakary has vowed to resist the Biya administration until his electoral 'victory' is acknowledged.
President Biya, the world's oldest leader, has been in power for 43 years, with the official election results declaring him the victor with 53.7% of the vote amidst allegations of fraud. Tchiroma Bakary, a former member of Biya's government, received 35.2% of the vote.
He has called for peaceful protests and initiatives to disrupt daily life, referred to as 'ghost town' operations, as part of his resistance strategy.
Until The Gambia confirmed his presence, the exact location of Tchiroma Bakary had been unclear, with speculations around his flight to neighboring countries. According to The Gambian government, his temporary stay is for humanitarian reasons and as part of regional solidarity efforts aimed at soothing Cameroon’s post-election tensions.
Despite these assurances, The Gambian authorities have stated that the country will not serve as a launchpad for any subversion against Cameroon. Furthermore, the main opposition party in The Gambia has raised concerns about the transparency surrounding Tchiroma Bakary’s arrival, expressing a need for more accountability regarding governmental actions.
