Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has fled to The Gambia following the contested outcome of the October 12 presidential election. The Gambian government confirmed that Tchiroma Bakary arrived on November 7 and is being granted temporary shelter on humanitarian grounds. He claims to be the rightful winner of the election, alleging that the official results were manipulated to secure an eighth term for President Paul Biya, who is 92 years old.
Tchiroma Bakary’s escape comes after the Cameroonian government threatened legal action against him for allegedly inciting post-election violence. He denies this accusation, attributing the unrest to law enforcement’s response to protests. Official reports indicate that at least 16 individuals lost their lives during these protests, although other organizations suggest the number is higher.
In the election, Biya was declared the winner with 53.7% of the vote, while Tchiroma Bakary received 35.2%. Since the election, he has vowed to resist Biya’s administration and has organized protests aimed at challenging the results. His tactics include calls for “ghost town” operations to disrupt daily life in cities.
The Gambian government emphasized that Tchiroma Bakary is not to be used as a base for actions against other states. Until the announcement of his presence in The Gambia, his location was uncertain, leading to speculation regarding his potential refuge in another country.
The main opposition party in The Gambia, the United Democratic Party (UDP), criticized the timing of the announcement regarding Tchiroma Bakary’s arrival, expressing concerns about transparency and governance. Nonetheless, they expressed pride in their country providing sanctuary to Tchiroma Bakary, acknowledging the realities dissenters often face under oppressive regimes. The situation underscores ongoing political tensions in Cameroon.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8dyjn1mne5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss