Cameroonian Opposition Leader to Face Legal Proceedings Regarding Election Unrest, Government Announces

Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he incited "violent election protests".

A minimum of four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between police and military and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth term in office.

Issa Tchiroma maintains that he was the true winner, a assertion disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

Forceful measures by security personnel on demonstrators have worried the global community, with the United Nations, African Union and EU urging caution.

Official's Accusations

Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" rallies causing the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates involved in an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.

Vote Outcome

Paul Biya, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October election with a majority of the votes, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is remains silent to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had previously stated that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he reported that security forces opened fire on protesters assembled near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.

Investigation Launched

Recently, the interior minister disclosed that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents prior to and following the publication of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he said, without providing a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the incidents.

The minister added that several officers of the law enforcement also sustained major harm.

Current Situation

Even though Nji insisted the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, protesters remain active in some parts of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators mounted roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt tires on the streets.

Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a political crisis.