Cameroonian Opposition Figure Faces Legal Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Government Declares

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he incited "violent post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been fatally wounded during clashes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

Issa Tchiroma asserts that he was the true winner, a statement dismissed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by security personnel on demonstrators have concerned the world leaders, with the UN, AU and European Union demanding moderation.

Minister's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he described as "unlawful" demonstrations resulting in the loss of lives, and also condemned him for declaring victory in the presidential race.

He added that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the October 12 vote with over half of the votes, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Challenger's Position

Tchiroma Bakary is yet to respond to the official announcement to try him, but he had before announced that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.

On election result day, he claimed that armed men used lethal force on protesters assembled near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.

Probe Launched

On Tuesday, the government official revealed that an investigation would be started into clashes before and after the declaration of the election results.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved were killed," he said, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been killed in the clashes.

Nji noted that several members of the police and military also suffered serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

While Nji asserted the condition across the country was now stable, protesters continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators established roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt tires on the roads.

Analysts caution that the election-related unrest could plunge the nation into a political crisis.