Photo credit: Reuters
Cameroonian opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary has fled to The Gambia to ensure his safety amid post-election unrest and government threats of legal action. He arrived on November 7, 2025, and is being hosted by the Gambian government on humanitarian grounds.
Reason for Fleeing:
Tchiroma, who heads the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FNSC) party, fled due to security threats and the government's plan to initiate legal proceedings against him for "repeated calls for insurrection" after the disputed October 12, 2025, presidential election.
Contested Election:
Tchiroma has contested the official results which declared longtime incumbent Paul Biya the winner, claiming he is the legitimate winner and calling for Cameroonians to reject the official outcome.
Gambia's Stance:
The Gambian government confirmed on November 23, 2025, that it is hosting Tchiroma temporarily “purely on humanitarian grounds”. It is also working with regional partners, such as Nigeria, to support a peaceful resolution to the tensions in Cameroon.
