Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Government Declares
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he instigated "aggressive election protests".
At least 4 protesters have been killed during clashes between law enforcement and protesters since the electoral process on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he emerged victorious, a assertion dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Aggressive responses by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for restraint.
Minister's Allegations
On Tuesday, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" protests resulting in the deaths, and also condemned him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
Vote Outcome
Paul Biya, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the ballots, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is yet to respond to the official announcement to try him, but he had before announced that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being detained.
Following the vote count, he reported that armed men used lethal force on demonstrators present near his house in Garoua, killing at least 2 people.
Probe Announced
On Tuesday, the government official announced that an investigation would be started into violent incidents surrounding the announcement of the election results.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved died," he said, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been lost their lives in the incidents.
Nji noted that multiple personnel of the law enforcement also suffered significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
Although Nji maintained the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now manageable, demonstrators continue to protest in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters set up roadblocks on that day, and burnt tires on the streets.
Observers alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a governmental instability.