Cameroon Political Opposition Figure Confronts Legal Proceedings Concerning Post-Election Violence, Authorities Announces
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he provoked "aggressive election protests".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between police and military and protesters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth term in office.
Issa Tchiroma asserts that he emerged victorious, a statement dismissed by the governing party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have concerned the international community, with the UN, AU and EU urging restraint.
Minister's Allegations
On Tuesday, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "unauthorized" rallies resulting in the deaths, and also criticised him for claiming win in the election.
He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.
Poll Figures
Paul Biya, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the October 12 vote with a majority of the votes, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.
Leader's Stance
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the official announcement to try him, but he had earlier declared that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being arrested.
Following the vote count, he reported that armed men shot on demonstrators gathered near his home in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 civilians.
Inquiry Launched
Earlier this week, the government official announced that an inquiry would be launched into clashes prior to and following the declaration of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he said, without offering a specific number of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the clashes.
Nji further mentioned that a number of members of the police and military also received serious injuries.
Current Situation
Even though Nji asserted the condition across the country was now manageable, protesters remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters established roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited tyres on the streets.
Observers caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a leadership vacuum.
