Cameroon Political Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Over Election Unrest, Authorities Announces
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "aggressive election protests".
A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the electoral process on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth presidential mandate.
The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a claim disputed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.
Forceful measures by police and security officers on protesters have worried the global community, with the UN, AU and EU calling for restraint.
Minister's Accusations
Recently, Nji alleged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "unlawful" rallies leading to the fatalities, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the election.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Election Results
Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the 12 October election with a majority of the votes, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.
Opposition Response
Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had before declared that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.
Following the vote count, he said that armed men used lethal force on demonstrators gathered near his residence in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 civilians.
Investigation Announced
Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be started into clashes before and after the declaration of the election results.
"During these attacks, some of the criminals lost their lives," he commented, without offering a specific number of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.
The minister added that multiple officers of the law enforcement also sustained major harm.
Current Situation
While the interior minister insisted the state of affairs nationwide was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters set up barricades on that day, and ignited rubber on the roads.
Observers warn that the political turmoil could push the country into a governmental instability.