Cameroonian Opposition Leader to Face Court Action Concerning Election Unrest, Government Declares

The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".

A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the presidential election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth term in office.

Issa Tchiroma maintains that he won the election, a assertion disputed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by police and security officers on demonstrators have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and EU demanding moderation.

Official's Allegations

Earlier this week, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unauthorized" protests leading to the deaths, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators behind an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.

Vote Outcome

The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, won the 12 October vote with over half of the votes, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Leader's Stance

The opposition figure is yet to respond to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had earlier declared that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he said that armed men opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his house in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two civilians.

Inquiry Announced

On Tuesday, the government official announced that an inquiry would be started into clashes before and after the announcement of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators were killed," he stated, without providing a specific number of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the clashes.

Nji noted that multiple members of the police and military also sustained serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

Although Nji maintained the state of affairs across the country was now under control, protesters remain active in certain regions of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the thoroughfares.

Observers warn that the political turmoil could push the nation into a leadership vacuum.