Cameroonian Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Government Says
Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he provoked "violent electoral rallies".
A minimum of 4 protesters have been killed during confrontations between police and military and demonstrators since the presidential election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.
Issa Tchiroma insists that he won the election, a statement disputed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.
Forceful measures by police and security officers on protesters have worried the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU demanding restraint.
Official's Claims
Earlier this week, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he described as "unauthorized" demonstrations causing the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the electoral contest.
He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators involved in an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.
Poll Figures
The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 presidential election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the government's decision to try him, but he had previously stated that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he claimed that security forces used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his house in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 people.
Investigation Announced
Recently, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be initiated into clashes before and after the declaration of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved died," he commented, without giving a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.
Nji noted that multiple officers of the security forces also received serious injuries.
Current Situation
Even though Nji asserted the state of affairs across the country was now manageable, demonstrators continue to protest in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt rubber on the roads.
Experts caution that the political turmoil could push the country into a political crisis.
