Cameroon Political Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Proceedings Concerning Election Unrest, Government Announces
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he emerged victorious, a assertion disputed by the governing party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have concerned the global community, with the United Nations, AU and EU calling for restraint.
Official's Claims
On Tuesday, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" rallies leading to the loss of lives, and also criticised him for claiming win in the election.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates behind an subversive plot" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
The president, who took control in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.
Challenger's Position
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had previously announced that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.
Following the vote count, he claimed that gunmen used lethal force on demonstrators present near his residence in Garoua, killing at least two civilians.
Probe Revealed
Recently, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be launched into unrest before and after the publication of the poll figures.
"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved died," he said, without giving a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.
Nji added that a number of members of the police and military also sustained major harm.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji asserted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now under control, demonstrators continue to protest in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up obstructions on Tuesday, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.
Analysts caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a political crisis.