Cameroonian Opposition Leader to Face Court Action Over Post-Election Violence, Government Declares
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he provoked "violent post-election demonstrations".
No fewer than four protesters have been lost their lives during confrontations between police and military and demonstrators since the electoral process on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth term in office.
The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a statement dismissed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.
Aggressive responses by police and security officers on demonstrators have alarmed the global community, with the UN, AU and European Union urging moderation.
Minister's Accusations
On Tuesday, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "illegal" demonstrations leading to the loss of lives, and also condemned him for claiming win in the electoral contest.
He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary'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 most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the votes, 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 government's decision to bring him to court, but he had previously declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being detained.
On election result day, he reported that armed men opened fire on protesters present near his home in Garoua, killing at least 2 individuals.
Probe Launched
Earlier this week, the government official disclosed that an investigation would be initiated into clashes before and after the announcement of the poll figures.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators were killed," he said, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the incidents.
The minister further mentioned that a number of officers of the security forces also received serious injuries.
Ongoing Circumstances
Even though Nji maintained the condition across the country was now manageable, demonstrators remain active in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters established barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to rubber on the thoroughfares.
Experts warn that the political turmoil could plunge the country into a political crisis.
