Cameroon Political Opposition Figure to Face Legal Proceedings Over Post-Election Violence, Government Declares
Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he provoked "violent election protests".
A minimum of 4 protesters have been killed during confrontations between police and military and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth consecutive term.
The opposition leader asserts that he emerged victorious, a assertion disputed by the governing party, the CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have concerned the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for restraint.
Minister's Claims
On Tuesday, the interior minister accused Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "illegal" protests leading to the fatalities, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the electoral contest.
He added that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
Paul Biya, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 presidential election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.
Opposition Response
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had earlier declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he said that armed men used lethal force on demonstrators present near his house in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two people.
Probe Launched
Recently, the government official announced that an probe would be launched into violent incidents prior to and following the declaration of the poll figures.
"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved died," he stated, without giving a specific number of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.
Nji noted that a number of officers of the security forces also suffered significant wounds.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji maintained the situation across the country was now stable, protesters are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established barricades on that day, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.
Observers caution that the political turmoil could lead the nation into a governmental instability.
