Cameroonian Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Government Announces
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
At least four protesters have been killed during confrontations between security forces and protesters since the electoral process on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth consecutive term.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a assertion rejected by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Forceful measures by security personnel on demonstrators have concerned the global community, with the UN, AU and EU urging moderation.
Minister's Allegations
Recently, Nji accused the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" protests resulting in the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the election.
He added that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
Vote Outcome
The president, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the October 12 election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.
Challenger's Position
The opposition figure is yet to respond to the authorities' move to try him, but he had earlier announced that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was undaunted of being detained.
When results were announced, he said that gunmen shot on demonstrators present near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.
Inquiry Revealed
On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be initiated into clashes before and after the declaration of the poll figures.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he commented, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the incidents.
The minister noted that multiple officers of the law enforcement also received significant wounds.
Current Situation
Although the interior minister insisted the situation across the country was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators mounted barricades on that day, and set fire to tyres on the roads.
Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a leadership vacuum.
