The Government of The Gambia has confirmed that Cameroonian opposition figure Mr. Issa Tchiroma Bakary arrived in the country on 7 November 2025 and is being hosted on strictly humanitarian grounds following disputed presidential elections in Cameroon.
In an official statement released today, the Gambian authorities emphasized that Mr. Bakary’s temporary stay is intended solely to guarantee his personal safety while diplomatic efforts continue to ease post-electoral tensions in Yaoundé. The move is described as an expression of “African solidarity” rather than political endorsement.
Cameroon held its presidential election on 5 October 2025, with long-serving President Paul Biya declared the winner amid widespread allegations of irregularities and voter suppression. Several opposition candidates, including Mr. Bakary, rejected the results, triggering protests and a government crackdown that reportedly left dozens injured and prompted fears of targeted reprisals against defeated contenders.
The Gambian statement explicitly reaffirmed Banjul’s respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all African Union member states and pledged that its soil “will not be used as a base for subversive activity against any state.”
Regional heavyweight Nigeria has been drawn into the mediation process, with sources indicating that Abuja is working alongside the African Union and ECOWAS to broker dialogue between the Cameroonian government and opposition forces.
President Adama Barrow’s administration promised to keep Gambians fully informed of developments and stressed that the arrangement remains temporary pending a peaceful, negotiated resolution in Cameroon.
The decision marks a rare instance of The Gambia – one of Africa’s smallest nations – positioning itself at the center of a delicate continental crisis, underscoring its growing willingness to assert moral leadership on the continent despite limited resources.
