Cameroon Political Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Over Election Unrest, Authorities Announces
The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "violent electoral rallies".
A minimum of 4 protesters have been lost their lives during skirmishes between police and military and demonstrators since the electoral process on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.
Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he emerged victorious, a assertion disputed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by security personnel on demonstrators have concerned the global community, with the UN, African Union and European Union urging restraint.
Official's Allegations
Earlier this week, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "unlawful" protests resulting in the loss of lives, and also condemned him for announcing success in the election.
He added that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.
Opposition Response
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had earlier stated that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being detained.
When results were announced, he reported that armed men shot on protesters present near his house in the city of Garoua, killing at least 2 individuals.
Inquiry Announced
Earlier this week, the interior minister announced that an inquiry would be started into unrest prior to and following the announcement of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he stated, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the clashes.
The minister further mentioned that several personnel of the police and military also suffered major harm.
Present Conditions
While Nji asserted the situation across the country was now stable, protesters are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators established roadblocks on that day, and set fire to tires on the thoroughfares.
Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a political crisis.