Cameroon Political Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Government Says
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over accusations that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
No fewer than four protesters have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between law enforcement and protesters since the presidential election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he won the election, a statement dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Violent crackdowns by security personnel on demonstrators have concerned the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for moderation.
Official's Allegations
Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged the opposition figure of organising what he described as "illegal" demonstrations causing the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the electoral contest.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.
Vote Outcome
Paul Biya, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.
Opposition Response
Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the government's decision to try him, but he had earlier stated that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.
Following the vote count, he reported that armed men opened fire on protesters present near his residence in Garoua, killing at least 2 people.
Inquiry Revealed
Recently, the interior minister announced that an inquiry would be launched into clashes before and after the announcement of the poll figures.
"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators died," he said, without offering a specific number of protesters who have been lost their lives in the clashes.
Nji further mentioned that multiple officers of the security forces also received serious injuries.
Present Conditions
Even though the interior minister asserted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators mounted barricades on that day, and ignited tyres on the streets.
Analysts warn that the election-related unrest could lead the nation into a governmental instability.