Cameroon Political Opposition Figure to Face Legal Action Over Post-Election Violence, Authorities Announces
The nation's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over accusations that he instigated "aggressive election protests".
At least four protesters have been lost their lives during skirmishes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth term in office.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a statement disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Aggressive responses by law enforcement on protesters have concerned the global community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union urging restraint.
Minister's Accusations
On Tuesday, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "illegal" rallies leading to the deaths, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates involved in an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Vote Outcome
Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the 12 October presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.
Opposition Response
Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had before declared that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he reported that security forces opened fire on demonstrators assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, killing at least two people.
Probe Revealed
On Tuesday, the government official revealed that an probe would be started into violent incidents surrounding the announcement of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved died," he stated, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.
Nji noted that a number of officers of the police and military also suffered significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
Although Nji asserted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now manageable, protesters continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.
Observers alert that the election-related unrest could push the nation into a governmental instability.