Cameroonian Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Concerning Election Unrest, Authorities Says
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been killed during clashes between security forces and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth consecutive term.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a statement disputed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.
Aggressive responses by police and security officers on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and EU calling for restraint.
Minister's Allegations
Earlier this week, Nji charged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "unauthorized" rallies causing the deaths, and also condemned him for announcing success in the electoral contest.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates responsible for an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who came to power in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the October 12 presidential election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Leader's Stance
Tchiroma Bakary is yet to respond to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had before declared that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.
On election result day, he claimed that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his house in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.
Probe Announced
On Tuesday, the government official revealed that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents prior to and following the announcement of the election results.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved died," he commented, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji added that multiple personnel of the law enforcement also sustained serious injuries.
Present Conditions
Although Nji maintained the situation throughout Cameroon was now under control, protesters continue to protest in various areas of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established obstructions on Tuesday, and ignited tires on the streets.
Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a leadership vacuum.