Cameroon Opposition Leader to Face Court Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Government Declares

The nation's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

No fewer than 4 demonstrators have been killed during clashes between security forces and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

Issa Tchiroma maintains that he emerged victorious, a assertion rejected by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by law enforcement on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the UN, AU and EU urging restraint.

Minister's Allegations

Earlier this week, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of organising what he described as "unauthorized" rallies resulting in the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the votes, compared to 35.2% for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had earlier announced that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

When results were announced, he said that security forces used lethal force on protesters present near his residence in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.

Investigation Revealed

On Tuesday, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be launched into violent incidents surrounding the announcement of the vote outcome.

"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators were killed," he commented, without giving a precise figure of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.

The minister added that multiple members of the security forces also suffered major harm.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though Nji insisted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now under control, demonstrators continue to protest in some parts of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters set up roadblocks on that day, and set fire to tyres on the thoroughfares.

Observers caution that the post-electoral violence could plunge the country into a governmental instability.