🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".

At least four protesters have been killed during skirmishes between security forces and protesters since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader insists that he emerged victorious, a claim rejected by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by law enforcement on protesters have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union demanding moderation.

Official's Claims

On Tuesday, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" protests resulting in the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the October 12 presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.

Leader's Stance

Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had earlier stated that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being detained.

Following the vote count, he reported that armed men shot on protesters present near his residence in Garoua, killing at least two individuals.

Inquiry Announced

Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be started into clashes before and after the declaration of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he commented, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the incidents.

Nji noted that a number of members of the law enforcement also suffered major harm.

Current Situation

Although the interior minister asserted the state of affairs nationwide was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited tyres on the roads.

Experts warn that the election-related unrest could plunge the country into a governmental instability.