Cameroonian Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Action Regarding Electoral Turmoil, Government Announces

Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he provoked "aggressive electoral rallies".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between police and military and demonstrators since the presidential election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth consecutive term.

Issa Tchiroma maintains that he was the true winner, a statement dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and European Union demanding caution.

Minister's Allegations

Recently, Nji alleged the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "unauthorized" rallies leading to the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices behind an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Election Results

The president, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being detained.

When results were announced, he said that security forces used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his house in the city of Garoua, killing at least 2 people.

Probe Announced

Recently, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be launched into clashes prior to and following the publication of the vote outcome.

"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators died," he said, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been fatally injured in the incidents.

Nji further mentioned that several members of the law enforcement also sustained significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Although Nji asserted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in various areas of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established roadblocks on that day, and set fire to tyres on the roads.

Experts warn that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a governmental instability.