Cameroon Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Proceedings Concerning Post-Election Violence, Authorities Says

The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he instigated "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between security forces and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth term in office.

The opposition leader asserts that he was the true winner, a claim rejected by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by security personnel on protesters have worried the international community, with the UN, African Union and EU demanding restraint.

Minister's Allegations

Recently, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unlawful" demonstrations leading to the fatalities, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

The president, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the October 12 vote with 53.7% of the vote, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is yet to respond to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had previously stated that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he claimed that gunmen shot on demonstrators assembled near his residence in Garoua, killing at least two individuals.

Probe Announced

On Tuesday, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be started into clashes surrounding the declaration of the election results.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he stated, without giving a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

The minister added that several members of the security forces also sustained serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though Nji maintained the condition throughout Cameroon was now under control, demonstrators remain active in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to rubber on the streets.

Experts alert that the political turmoil could push the country into a leadership vacuum.