Cameroon Political Opposition Figure to Face Legal Action Regarding Electoral Turmoil, Government Says
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he incited "aggressive election protests".
No fewer than four protesters have been killed during clashes between security forces and opposition supporters since the presidential election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth term in office.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a claim disputed by the governing party, the CPDM.
Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and European Union calling for caution.
Official's Accusations
Recently, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he referred to as "illegal" demonstrations leading to the fatalities, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He added that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an subversive plot" will also face legal action.
Vote Outcome
Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, won the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.
Leader's Stance
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had previously declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.
When results were announced, he claimed that security forces used lethal force on protesters assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, killing at least two civilians.
Probe Revealed
Recently, the interior minister disclosed that an inquiry would be started into unrest prior to and following the publication of the vote outcome.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he stated, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.
Nji further mentioned that a number of personnel of the security forces also sustained serious injuries.
Ongoing Circumstances
Although the interior minister insisted the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up barricades on that day, and ignited rubber on the roads.
Experts caution that the political turmoil could push the country into a leadership vacuum.