Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader to Face Court Action Over Election Unrest, Government Announces

Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over accusations that he provoked "aggressive election protests".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between security forces and protesters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth term in office.

The opposition leader asserts that he won the election, a statement rejected by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by law enforcement on protesters have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, African Union and European Union demanding restraint.

Minister's Claims

On Tuesday, Nji alleged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "unlawful" demonstrations causing the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

The president, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the October 12 election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had before announced that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he claimed that armed men shot on demonstrators assembled near his house in Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.

Inquiry Launched

On Tuesday, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be launched into violent incidents before and after the publication of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he said, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the incidents.

Nji further mentioned that several officers of the law enforcement also received significant wounds.

Current Situation

Even though Nji insisted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted roadblocks on that day, and ignited tires on the roads.

Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could push the country into a leadership vacuum.