Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Action Over Election Unrest, Government Declares
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he instigated "violent election protests".
At least four demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between police and military and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth presidential mandate.
Issa Tchiroma insists that he emerged victorious, a statement disputed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.
Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have concerned the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for caution.
Official's Claims
Recently, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" demonstrations resulting in the deaths, and also condemned him for announcing success in the electoral contest.
He noted that the opposition leader's "associates responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.
Vote Outcome
Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the 12 October election with over half of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Leader's Stance
The opposition figure is yet to respond to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being detained.
Following the vote count, he reported that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators assembled near his house in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.
Investigation Revealed
Recently, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be launched into clashes surrounding the declaration of the poll figures.
"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he said, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been killed in the incidents.
Nji added that a number of members of the security forces also sustained significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
Although the interior minister insisted the condition across the country was now manageable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on that day, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.
Analysts caution that the election-related unrest could push the nation into a governmental instability.