Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Declares
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he provoked "violent electoral rallies".
At least 4 demonstrators have been killed during clashes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he was the true winner, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have concerned the international community, with the UN, African Union and European Union demanding moderation.
Minister's Allegations
Recently, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "illegal" rallies resulting in the loss of lives, and also condemned him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.
He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.
Vote Outcome
The president, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is remains silent to the government's decision to try him, but he had earlier announced that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being arrested.
On election result day, he said that gunmen opened fire on protesters gathered near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.
Investigation Launched
On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be initiated into unrest surrounding the publication of the vote outcome.
"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals died," he said, without offering a exact count of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji noted that multiple personnel of the law enforcement also received serious injuries.
Current Situation
While the interior minister maintained the condition throughout Cameroon was now stable, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established roadblocks on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the streets.
Experts alert that the election-related unrest could push the country into a leadership vacuum.