Cameroon Political Opposition Figure Confronts Legal Action Concerning Post-Election Violence, Government Declares
Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he instigated "violent post-election demonstrations".
A minimum of four protesters have been fatally wounded during clashes between police and military and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth term in office.
The opposition leader asserts that he was the true winner, a claim rejected by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union demanding moderation.
Official's Allegations
Earlier this week, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" protests resulting in the loss of lives, and also criticised him for claiming win in the electoral contest.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.
Election Results
The president, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 vote with over half of the votes, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.
Challenger's Position
Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had previously stated that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.
On election result day, he reported that security forces shot on demonstrators gathered near his home in the city of Garoua, killing at least two people.
Inquiry Launched
Recently, the interior minister disclosed that an investigation would be started into violent incidents surrounding the publication of the vote outcome.
"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals lost their lives," he stated, without giving a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.
The minister noted that multiple personnel of the law enforcement also sustained significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
Although the interior minister asserted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now stable, protesters remain active in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up barricades on Tuesday, and burnt tires on the streets.
Observers alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a governmental instability.