Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Cameroon’s opposition leader and declared runner-up in the recent presidential election, has been in Banjul, Gambia, since November 7th for “humanitarian reasons,” according to a press statement released on Sunday by the Gambian government.
The visit, described as temporary, aims to ensure his safety while allowing him the freedom to continue expressing his political views. Sources indicate he likely transited through Yola, Nigeria, near the Cameroonian border, before arriving in Banjul, leaving his hometown of Garoua in late October or early November following the election results he contests.
While Gambian authorities highlight African solidarity as a guiding principle for hosting Tchiroma Bakary, reports of potential negotiations between him and the Yaoundé government—facilitated by Nigeria—remain unconfirmed. Cameroonian officials have denied any ongoing talks, asserting there is no post-election crisis that would warrant such discussions. Meanwhile, Tchiroma Bakary’s team emphasises that his presence in Gambia provides a secure environment to continue political engagement without threat to his safety.