Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Over Election Unrest, Authorities Declares
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he provoked "violent electoral rallies".
No fewer than 4 demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between police and military and protesters since the electoral process on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.
The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a statement rejected by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.
Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the global community, with the United Nations, African Union and EU demanding caution.
Official's Allegations
On Tuesday, Nji accused the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "illegal" rallies causing the deaths, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the election.
He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, won 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
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to try him, but he had before announced that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being detained.
When results were announced, he reported that gunmen used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.
Inquiry Announced
Earlier this week, the government official revealed that an investigation would be launched into clashes before and after the announcement of the vote outcome.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he commented, without providing a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.
The minister further mentioned that multiple officers of the law enforcement also sustained major harm.
Current Situation
While Nji insisted the condition across the country was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up obstructions on that day, and burnt tyres on the roads.
Analysts alert that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a political crisis.