Cameroon Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Regarding Election Unrest, Government Declares
Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".
A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between police and military and protesters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth term in office.
The opposition leader asserts that he emerged victorious, a statement rejected by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union demanding restraint.
Minister's Accusations
Earlier this week, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he described as "illegal" demonstrations causing the deaths, and also criticised him for announcing success in the election.
He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
Paul Biya, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.
Leader's Stance
The opposition figure is remains silent to the government's decision to try him, but he had previously declared that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being detained.
When results were announced, he claimed that security forces opened fire on protesters gathered near his home in the city of Garoua, killing at least two civilians.
Investigation Announced
Earlier this week, the government official disclosed that an investigation would be launched into clashes surrounding the declaration of the vote outcome.
"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the incidents.
The minister added that a number of personnel of the law enforcement also sustained major harm.
Current Situation
While the interior minister insisted the state of affairs nationwide was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted barricades on that day, and ignited tyres on the streets.
Analysts alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a political crisis.