Cameroon opposition leader flees to Gambia for ‘safety’ after disputed vote

The Gambia hosts Issa Tchiroma Bakary aft Paul Biya, Cameroon’s person for 43 years, wins yet different election.

Cameroon’s absorption person Issa Tchiroma Bakary has fled to The Gambia “for the intent of ensuring his safety” successful the aftermath of the caller statesmanlike predetermination that returned longtime ruler Paul Biya to powerfulness amid deadly protests.

The Gambian authorities confirmed successful a connection connected Sunday that it was hosting Tchiroma “temporarily” successful the state connected “humanitarian grounds” portion pursuing a “peaceful and diplomatic resolution” to post-electoral tensions successful Cameroon.

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The statement, posted connected the Facebook leafage of the bureau of Gambian President Adama Barrow, said The Gambia was moving with determination partners similar Nigeria to “support a peaceful and negotiated outcome” pursuing October’s disputed election.

Official predetermination results showed 92-year-old Biya, the world’s oldest caput of state, secured his eighth word successful bureau with 53.7 percent of the vote, against 35.2 percent for Tchiroma, a erstwhile authorities curate starring the Cameroon National Salvation Front.

But Tchiroma, who claimed ballot tampering, stated helium was the election’s existent winner. “This is not democracy, it is electoral theft, a law coup arsenic blatant arsenic it is shameful,” helium said astatine the time.

The absorption person repeatedly urged supporters to protestation against the authoritative predetermination outcome, urging them to signifier “dead city” operations by closing shops and halting different nationalist activities.

The Cameroonian authorities has confirmed that astatine slightest five people were killed during the protests, though the absorption and civilian nine groups assertion the figures are overmuch higher.

The authorities has said it plans to initiate ineligible proceedings against Tchiroma for his “repeated calls for insurrection.”

Biya came to powerfulness successful 1982 pursuing the resignation of Cameroon’s archetypal president and has ruled since, pursuing a 2008 law amendment that abolished word limits.

He has ruled the state with an robust fist, repressing each governmental opposition.