Gambia hosts Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma amid post-election crisis
Tchiroma, a former minister and once a close ally of President Biya, has declared himself the rightful winner of the October 12 vote and vowed to reject any result suggesting otherwise.
The Gambia has confirmed that it is temporarily hosting Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary, following the October 12 elections that secured President Paul Biya an eighth term.
In a Facebook statement on Sunday, the Gambian government emphasised that Tchiroma's stay is purely humanitarian, aimed at ensuring his safety while regional efforts continue to seek a peaceful resolution to Cameroon's post-election unrest.
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"The government of The Gambia informs the public that Mr Issa Tchiroma Bakery arrived in the country on the 7 of November 2025. Mr Bakery is a Cameroonian opposition leader who contested in the recently conducted elections in the Republic of Cameroon," the statement reads.
Being hosted temporarily
"He is being hosted temporarily in The Gambia purely on humanitarian grounds in the spirit of African solidarity and for the purpose of ensuring his safety while discussions continue to pursue a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the post-electoral tensions in Cameroon."
The statement also reaffirmed that The Gambia will not be used as a base for any activity against other states.
"The government is engaging with relevant regional partners, including the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to support a peaceful and negotiated outcome, and will continue to keep the Gambian public informed."
Tchiroma's spokesperson, Alice Nkom, acknowledged Gambia's statement in a Facebook post.
"Issa Tchiroma Bakary wishes to thank the Republic of The Gambia and all countries that have and continue to ensure his security in the post-election crisis," she said.
"He also thanks them for their commitment to peace, democracy, respect for human rights, sovereignty and solidarity among African people."
Declared himself winner
Tchiroma, a former minister and once a close ally of President Biya, has declared himself the rightful winner of the October 12 vote and vowed to reject any result suggesting otherwise.
According to Cameroonian electoral officials, Biya, the world's oldest sitting president, garnered 53.66 per cent of the vote, defeating Bakary, who received 35.19 per cent.
In the days leading up to the announcement, protests erupted in several cities, including Douala and Yaoundé, after Tchiroma rejected preliminary results and declared himself the legitimate winner.
Tchiroma's campaign released its own tally claiming he had secured 54.8 per cent of the vote and warned of protests if what it called "manipulated results" were made official.
He has also accused the international community of ignoring political repression in Cameroon.
"The international community, you are becoming complicit; it is impossible to let a people be martyred like this," he said in an October statement.
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