Cameroon Opposition Figure Faces Legal Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Declares
Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he instigated "violent election protests".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between police and military and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth consecutive term.
Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he emerged victorious, a claim disputed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.
Aggressive responses by security personnel on demonstrators have concerned the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for caution.
Minister's Claims
On Tuesday, Nji accused the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "illegal" rallies resulting in the fatalities, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.
Vote Outcome
Paul Biya, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, secured the October 12 election with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Challenger's Position
Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had before stated that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.
On election result day, he said that security forces shot on protesters assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, killing at least 2 individuals.
Inquiry Revealed
On Tuesday, the interior minister announced that an inquiry would be initiated into unrest prior to and following the publication of the poll figures.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators died," he said, without offering a specific number of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the clashes.
The minister added that a number of personnel of the security forces also suffered major harm.
Ongoing Circumstances
Even though the interior minister maintained the situation throughout Cameroon was now stable, protesters remain active in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted obstructions on that day, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.
Observers caution that the political turmoil could push the nation into a political crisis.
