Cameroonian Opposition Leader to Face Legal Action Concerning Election Unrest, Authorities Announces
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
At least four protesters have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between security forces and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth term in office.
The opposition leader maintains that he won the election, a claim dismissed by the governing party, the CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and EU calling for caution.
Minister's Allegations
On Tuesday, Nji accused the opposition figure of planning what he described as "unlawful" protests resulting in the fatalities, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the election.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Poll Figures
The president, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had before declared that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being detained.
Following the vote count, he claimed that security forces opened fire on protesters assembled near his house in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 individuals.
Investigation Revealed
Recently, the interior minister announced that an investigation would be launched into clashes before and after the declaration of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators were killed," he stated, without giving a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.
Nji noted that several members of the police and military also sustained serious injuries.
Present Conditions
While Nji insisted the condition nationwide was now under control, demonstrators remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators established roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the streets.
Observers caution that the post-electoral violence could push the nation into a leadership vacuum.