Cameroonian Opposition Leader to Face Legal Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Government Says

The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the presidential election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth term in office.

Issa Tchiroma maintains that he was the true winner, a statement dismissed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Aggressive responses by law enforcement on protesters have worried the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU demanding caution.

Minister's Accusations

On Tuesday, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "illegal" rallies resulting in the deaths, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the presidential race.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators responsible for an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the 12 October vote with a majority of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had before stated that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

When results were announced, he said that armed men shot on protesters gathered near his house in Garoua, killing at least 2 people.

Investigation Launched

Recently, the interior minister revealed that an inquiry would be initiated into violent incidents surrounding the publication of the poll figures.

"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he stated, without offering a exact count of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.

Nji further mentioned that a number of officers of the police and military also received significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister insisted the situation nationwide was now manageable, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the thoroughfares.

Observers alert that the election-related unrest could push the country into a leadership vacuum.