Cameroon Opposition Figure Confronts Legal Action Over Election Unrest, Authorities Announces
Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he provoked "aggressive electoral rallies".
A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between police and military and demonstrators since the presidential election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth consecutive term.
The opposition leader asserts that he won the election, a assertion disputed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.
Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the global community, with the UN, AU and EU calling for restraint.
Official's Claims
On Tuesday, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "illegal" protests causing the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the election.
He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Election Results
The president, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the 12 October vote with over half of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had before stated that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being detained.
When results were announced, he claimed that armed men shot on demonstrators assembled near his residence in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 individuals.
Inquiry Announced
Earlier this week, the interior minister disclosed that an inquiry would be started into violent incidents prior to and following the publication of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved were killed," he commented, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the incidents.
Nji added that multiple officers of the police and military also received significant wounds.
Current Situation
Even though Nji maintained the condition throughout Cameroon was now under control, protesters continue to protest in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators established barricades on that day, and ignited rubber on the streets.
Analysts caution that the post-electoral violence could push the nation into a governmental instability.