Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader to Face Court Action Concerning Post-Election Violence, Authorities Says

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he provoked "violent election protests".

No fewer than 4 demonstrators have been killed during clashes between security forces and protesters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he emerged victorious, a claim dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the global community, with the UN, AU and EU demanding restraint.

Official's Allegations

On Tuesday, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he described as "illegal" protests leading to the deaths, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the election.

He added that the opposition leader's "associates involved in an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.

Vote Outcome

The president, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October vote with a majority of the votes, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Leader's Stance

The opposition figure is remains silent to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had before announced that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

When results were announced, he said that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators present near his home in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.

Investigation Revealed

Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be started into violent incidents surrounding the publication of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he stated, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.

Nji further mentioned that a number of personnel of the security forces also received major harm.

Present Conditions

Even though Nji insisted the condition throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to rubber on the roads.

Analysts caution that the post-electoral violence could push the nation into a governmental instability.