Cameroon Political Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Declares
Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he instigated "violent post-election demonstrations".
No fewer than four protesters have been fatally wounded during confrontations between police and military and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth presidential mandate.
The opposition leader maintains that he won the election, a claim disputed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Aggressive responses by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and European Union demanding restraint.
Official's Accusations
Earlier this week, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of organising what he described as "unauthorized" protests leading to the deaths, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the election.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators responsible for an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, secured the October 12 presidential election with over half of the votes, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.
Challenger's Position
Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had previously declared that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he reported that armed men opened fire on demonstrators present near his home in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 individuals.
Investigation Launched
On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be launched into clashes surrounding the announcement of the vote outcome.
"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators were killed," he said, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.
The minister noted that multiple officers of the law enforcement also suffered significant wounds.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji maintained the condition throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators established roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited tyres on the thoroughfares.
Experts alert that the election-related unrest could push the nation into a leadership vacuum.