Cameroon Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Action Regarding Election Unrest, Authorities Announces
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he instigated "aggressive electoral rallies".
No fewer than four demonstrators have been lost their lives during clashes between police and military and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.
The opposition leader asserts that he was the true winner, a claim rejected by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Violent crackdowns by police and security officers on protesters have worried the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU urging restraint.
Minister's Allegations
Earlier this week, Nji charged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "unauthorized" rallies causing the deaths, and also condemned him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.
Election Results
Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had previously declared that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.
On election result day, he reported that gunmen shot on demonstrators assembled near his house in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 civilians.
Investigation Launched
Recently, the interior minister disclosed that an inquiry would be started into violent incidents prior to and following the announcement of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved died," he stated, without providing a precise figure of protesters who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.
The minister added that several personnel of the law enforcement also received significant wounds.
Present Conditions
Although the interior minister maintained the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now manageable, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on that day, and ignited tyres on the thoroughfares.
Analysts caution that the political turmoil could plunge the country into a governmental instability.