Cameroonian Opposition Figure Faces Legal Proceedings Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Government Declares
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he instigated "aggressive election protests".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during confrontations between police and military and opposition supporters since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.
Issa Tchiroma maintains that he won the election, a assertion rejected by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.
Aggressive responses by law enforcement on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for restraint.
Minister's Accusations
Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "illegal" demonstrations leading to the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the electoral contest.
He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.
Opposition Response
Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the authorities' move to try him, but he had before announced that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being detained.
Following the vote count, he said that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his residence in Garoua, killing at least 2 civilians.
Probe Launched
Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be started into unrest before and after the announcement of the election results.
"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators were killed," he said, without providing a specific number of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the incidents.
The minister further mentioned that a number of personnel of the police and military also suffered major harm.
Current Situation
Although Nji insisted the situation across the country was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in various areas of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted obstructions on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the roads.
Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could push the country into a governmental instability.