Cameroonian Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Regarding Election Unrest, Government Announces
The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he instigated "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been lost their lives during skirmishes between police and military and protesters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth consecutive term.
The opposition leader maintains that he won the election, a statement rejected by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.
Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the UN, AU and European Union urging restraint.
Minister's Accusations
Recently, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "illegal" demonstrations resulting in the loss of lives, and also condemned him for declaring victory in the election.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Election Results
The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October election with over half of the votes, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.
Challenger's Position
Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had before stated that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.
Following the vote count, he said that armed men opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his residence in the city of Garoua, killing at least two civilians.
Inquiry Announced
Earlier this week, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be launched into violent incidents prior to and following the announcement of the election results.
"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals were killed," he commented, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.
The minister noted that a number of members of the police and military also suffered serious injuries.
Current Situation
Although the interior minister insisted the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, protesters are still demonstrating in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators established barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the roads.
Observers alert that the election-related unrest could plunge the country into a political crisis.