Cameroon Political Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Announces
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
A minimum of four protesters have been lost their lives during confrontations between police and military and demonstrators since the presidential election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth consecutive term.
Issa Tchiroma asserts that he was the true winner, a assertion rejected by the incumbent party, the CPDM.
Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and European Union calling for restraint.
Official's Accusations
Recently, the interior minister accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "unauthorized" protests resulting in the deaths, and also condemned him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices behind an subversive plot" will also face legal action.
Vote Outcome
Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October vote with a majority of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is yet to respond to the authorities' move to try him, but he had previously announced that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being detained.
Following the vote count, he claimed that armed men shot on protesters assembled near his residence in Garoua, killing at least two people.
Probe Launched
On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be launched into unrest surrounding the announcement of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he stated, without giving a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji noted that a number of officers of the law enforcement also sustained serious injuries.
Ongoing Circumstances
While the interior minister insisted the condition across the country was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited tires on the streets.
Observers caution that the political turmoil could push the country into a governmental instability.