Issa Tchiroma Bakary of the Cameroon opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary said on Friday he had been escorted to a secure location by soldiers loyal to him for his protection, a move that could signal a split within the army following a disputed election.
Tchiroma had been holed up in his house in the Northern Northern city of Garoua since a Presidential election on October 12 in which he claimed victory.
Although he did not give the number of soldiers, his assertion that members of the army are loyal to him could indicate a split within the country’s security forces.
“I thank the loyalist army, which has shown its patriotism by escorting me to a safe location and is currently ensuring my protection,” Tchiroma said in a message on his Facebook page.
A spokesperson for the Central African nation’s Defence Ministry declined comment when contacted by Reuters.
Cameroon’s Constitutional Council on Monday declared President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest ruler at 92, as the winner of the election, leading to violent protests in several cities of the oil- and cocoa-producing nation.
Source : Reuters
