Cameroon Opposition Leader to Face Court Action Concerning Post-Election Violence, Government Announces
The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
No fewer than 4 protesters have been lost their lives during confrontations between security forces and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth consecutive term.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he emerged victorious, a claim disputed by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Aggressive responses by police and security officers on protesters have concerned the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union calling for moderation.
Official's Accusations
Earlier this week, Nji alleged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "unauthorized" demonstrations leading to the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.
He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Election Results
The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October vote with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Leader's Stance
Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had previously stated that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he said that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators present near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.
Investigation Revealed
On Tuesday, the interior minister announced that an inquiry would be launched into violent incidents surrounding the announcement of the poll figures.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved were killed," he said, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.
Nji added that multiple members of the police and military also received significant wounds.
Current Situation
Even though the interior minister insisted the condition throughout Cameroon was now manageable, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators mounted roadblocks on that day, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.
Analysts caution that the election-related unrest could push the country into a leadership vacuum.