Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who is contesting the outcome of the presidential election, has fled to The Gambia for his safety, as confirmed by the Gambian government.
Tchiroma Bakary insists he is the legitimate winner of the October 12 election, claiming that the result was rigged to allow President Paul Biya, 92, to secure an eighth term. According to the Gambian information ministry, Bakary arrived on November 7 and is being hosted on humanitarian grounds.
The Cameroonian government had threatened to prosecute him for allegedly inciting violent demonstrations following the election results. Bakary denies these allegations, attributing the violence to a crackdown by security forces on protesters.
While the Cameroonian government claims that 16 people were killed in the recent post-election violence, other reports suggest a higher death toll.
Tchiroma Bakary has vowed to resist Biya's government until the results of the election are officially recognized. In the election, he garnered 35.2% of the vote while Biya was declared the winner with 53.7%. His opposition tactics have included calls for street protests and 'ghost town' operations to disrupt normal activities.
The Gambian government stated that Tchiroma Bakary's presence is temporary and aimed at ensuring his safety while seeking a peaceful resolution to the tensions in Cameroon. They also emphasized that The Gambia will not serve as a base for any subversive actions against any country.
In response to Bakary's arrival, the United Democratic Party, The Gambia's main opposition party, expressed concern over the government's delay in announcing his presence, raising issues of transparency and accountability.
Pending comment from the Cameroonian government, Tchiroma Bakary's situation illustrates the ongoing conflict and challenges within Cameroonian politics, dominated by Biya's long-standing regime.
