Gambia has confirmed that it is temporarily hosting Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary following a tense and disputed presidential election in Cameroon that saw 92-year-old President Paul Biya claim an eighth term in office. In a statement released Sunday, Gambia’s Ministry of Information said Tchiroma arrived in Banjul on November 7 and is being sheltered “purely on humanitarian grounds” to ensure his safety. The ministry added that Gambia is working with regional partners, including Nigeria and ECOWAS envoys, to support efforts toward a peaceful, negotiated resolution to Cameroon’s post-election crisis.
Tchiroma’s spokesperson, Alice Nkom, also confirmed his presence in Gambia. Cameroon’s presidential election, held on October 12, has been rejected by several opposition groups, with Tchiroma claiming he — not Biya won the vote. The government has dismissed those claims and says it intends to launch legal action against Tchiroma for what it describes as “repeated calls for insurrection.” The election fallout triggered deadly protests in major cities, including Douala and the northern hubs of Maroua and Garoua. While the government reports 16 deaths, opposition figures and human rights organizations say more than 55 people were killed as security forces clashed with demonstrators. Biya, one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, has ruled Cameroon since 1982, largely benefitting from weakened term limits and tight control over state institutions. His increasingly rare public appearances have fueled ongoing speculation about his health, even as he maintains firm political control.
