Cameroon Opposition Leader to Face Legal Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Declares
The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he provoked "aggressive election protests".
At least 4 demonstrators have been killed during clashes between law enforcement and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth term in office.
Issa Tchiroma insists that he won the election, a assertion dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.
Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have concerned the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and European Union urging caution.
Official's Allegations
On Tuesday, Nji charged the opposition figure of organising what he labeled "illegal" demonstrations causing the deaths, and also criticised him for announcing success in the election.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators behind an rebellious scheme" will also be prosecuted.
Vote Outcome
The president, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the 12 October election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had previously stated that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.
When results were announced, he said that security forces used lethal force on demonstrators present near his house in the city of Garoua, killing at least 2 individuals.
Probe Launched
On Tuesday, the government official disclosed that an probe would be initiated into clashes prior to and following the publication of the poll figures.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he commented, without providing a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the clashes.
Nji added that a number of members of the police and military also sustained significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
While Nji insisted the state of affairs across the country was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators established roadblocks on Tuesday, and set fire to rubber on the roads.
Observers caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a governmental instability.