Cameroon Political Opposition Figure Confronts Legal Proceedings Regarding Election Unrest, Authorities Announces
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over accusations that he incited "violent electoral rallies".
No fewer than four demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between security forces and protesters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth consecutive term.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he was the true winner, a statement disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and European Union demanding caution.
Official's Allegations
Recently, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "illegal" rallies causing the fatalities, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Challenger's Position
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had previously announced that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.
When results were announced, he said that gunmen used lethal force on protesters gathered near his house in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least two people.
Investigation Revealed
Earlier this week, the government official announced that an inquiry would be started into clashes prior to and following the publication of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he stated, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the clashes.
The minister further mentioned that multiple members of the police and military also sustained significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
While the interior minister maintained the condition across the country was now manageable, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up barricades on that day, and ignited tyres on the roads.
Experts warn that the election-related unrest could lead the country into a political crisis.