The Gambia provides temporary shield to fleeing Tchiroma.

The Gambia made public the announcement in a statement which its Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services made issued on Sunday, November 23.

The government of The Gambia in the statement indicated that Tchiroma is being hosted on its territory “on purely humanitarian grounds”. It disclosed that Tchiroma has been in the country since November 7.

According to the statement, Tchiroma’s acceptance is “in the spirit of African solidarity and for the purpose of ensuring his safety while discussions continue to pursue a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the post-election violence in Cameroon”.

The West African nation further disclosed that it has engaged “relevant regional partners”, citing the neighbouring Federal Republic of Nigeria as one of them to guarantee “a peaceful and negotiated outcome”. It assured its citizens of continuous update on the trend of things regarding Tchiroma’s stay.

Despite ascertaining the safety of Tchiroma, The Gambia government restated that it respects the territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states of the African Union, AU. 

The country stated that in addition to this, it is also committed to “the principle that The Gambia will not be used as a base for subversive activity against any State”.

Hours after the Statement from The Gambia government, Barrister Alice Nkom, Spokesperson of Issa Tchiroma, issued a statement same Sunday, relaying the FSNC leader’s gratitude to those who have stood with him.

Barrister Nkom stated that Tchiroma is grateful to The Gambia government, other countries and individuals who have stood with him throughout the post-presidential election crisis in Cameroon. 

Nkom in the statement indicated that Tchiroma also expressed “gratitude for the commitment” those who have supported him have “shown to peace, democracy, respect for human rights and solidarity among African peoples”.

Tchiroma appointed Nkom his Spokesperson on November 17. The FSNC leader was proclaimed second in the October 12 presidential election with over 35 percent votes cast by the Constitutional Council. The same institution had declared President Paul Biya winner of the election with 53.66 percent of votes.

Tchiroma has continued to insist that he won the election but figures were falsified to retain Biya in power. How he left the country and landed in The Gambia remains out of the public knowledge.

Tchiroma called for public protest to defend what he called the will of the people. Several persons were killed in such protests and properties destroyed with activities halted in several regions. The country is still barely recovering from the post-election tension.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3636 of Tuesday November 25, 2025