Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Legal Proceedings Concerning Post-Election Violence, Authorities Announces

The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".

At least 4 protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between law enforcement and protesters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth presidential mandate.

Issa Tchiroma asserts that he emerged victorious, a statement dismissed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and European Union calling for caution.

Minister's Claims

Recently, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" rallies leading to the fatalities, and also condemned him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators involved in an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Election Results

The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the October 12 election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to 35.2% for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is yet to respond to the authorities' move to try him, but he had before declared that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

On election result day, he reported that gunmen shot on demonstrators present near his residence in Garoua, killing at least 2 people.

Probe Revealed

Recently, the government official announced that an inquiry would be launched into unrest surrounding the publication of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he stated, without giving a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.

Nji noted that multiple officers of the law enforcement also suffered major harm.

Ongoing Circumstances

Although Nji insisted the situation across the country was now under control, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the nation, especially in urban centers, where protesters set up barricades on that day, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.

Observers alert that the election-related unrest could lead the nation into a political crisis.