Cameroon’s opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary has fled to The Gambia following violent post-election protests, the Gambian government confirmed Sunday.
Authorities said Tchiroma entered the country on November 7 “on humanitarian grounds” to ensure his safety amid ongoing diplomatic discussions.
The move comes after President Paul Biya, in power for 43 years, was sworn in this month for an eighth term.
Biya, 92, the world’s oldest head of state, officially won 53.7 percent of votes, while Tchiroma received 35.2 percent, according to official results.
Tchiroma disputes the outcome, claiming victory and asserting there are now “two presidents” in Cameroon, challenging the Constitutional Council’s declaration.
He has repeatedly called on supporters to protest, urging “dead city” operations that closed shops and halted public activity.
Security forces suppressed opposition rallies before and after the election, resulting in several reported deaths, escalating tensions across the country.
The Cameroonian government has announced plans to pursue legal action against Tchiroma for his “repeated calls for insurrection,” officials said.
Since independence from France in 1960, Biya has been only the second leader of Cameroon, maintaining control through strict political repression.
His decades-long rule has suppressed both political rivals and armed opposition, leaving the nation divided over its democratic future.
The Gambian government emphasized that Tchiroma’s stay is temporary, aimed at fostering a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to Cameroon’s post-election crisis.
