Cameroon’s political tensions have taken a dramatic turn. Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a prominent opposition figure, has fled to Nigeria just weeks after the country’s contested presidential election. Bakary claims he won the vote, despite the Constitutional Council declaring long-time incumbent Paul Biya as the victor.
Escape from Surveillance
Bakary’s residence in Garoua, the northern regional capital, had been under close watch by Cameroonian security forces. His political headquarters in Yaoundé was also heavily monitored. Yet, he managed to evade authorities and cross the border into Nigeria—a bold move that underscores the deepening crisis.
Election Fallout
The escape comes three weeks after the presidential poll, which Bakary insists was rigged. His rejection of the official results has fueled speculation about further unrest and the resilience of Cameroon’s opposition under Biya’s decades-long rule.
As the situation unfolds, Bakary’s flight raises questions about political freedoms, electoral integrity, and the future of dissent in Cameroon.