Cameroon Political Opposition Leader to Face Court Action Regarding Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Announces
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".
No fewer than 4 demonstrators have been lost their lives during skirmishes between security forces and demonstrators since the presidential election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth consecutive term.
The opposition leader insists that he won the election, a claim dismissed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.
Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the international community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for caution.
Official's Accusations
On Tuesday, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "illegal" demonstrations leading to the fatalities, and also condemned him for announcing success in the electoral contest.
He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
Paul Biya, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, secured the October 12 vote with over half of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is remains silent to the government's decision to try him, but he had earlier announced that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being arrested.
On election result day, he reported that gunmen used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.
Probe Revealed
Earlier this week, the government official disclosed that an inquiry would be launched into unrest before and after the declaration of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals were killed," he said, without providing a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the incidents.
The minister added that multiple members of the security forces also sustained serious injuries.
Present Conditions
Although Nji asserted the condition nationwide was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters set up barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the thoroughfares.
Observers alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a governmental instability.