Cameroon Opposition Leader Faces Legal Proceedings Over Electoral Turmoil, Government Announces
The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over accusations that he provoked "aggressive election protests".
No fewer than 4 protesters have been killed during clashes between security forces and opposition supporters since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.
Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he won the election, a claim rejected by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Forceful measures by security personnel on protesters have concerned the global community, with the UN, AU and EU urging restraint.
Minister's Claims
Recently, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "unauthorized" rallies causing the deaths, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the election.
He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators behind an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
The president, who took control in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the October 12 vote with over half of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.
Challenger's Position
The opposition figure is yet to respond to the government's decision to try him, but he had before stated that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.
Following the vote count, he reported that security forces used lethal force on protesters assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 people.
Investigation Launched
Earlier this week, the government official announced that an probe would be launched into clashes surrounding the announcement of the vote outcome.
"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals were killed," he said, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.
Nji noted that several members of the security forces also suffered significant wounds.
Current Situation
Although the interior minister asserted the condition throughout Cameroon was now manageable, protesters remain active in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up obstructions on Tuesday, and burnt tyres on the thoroughfares.
Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a governmental instability.