Cameroon Opposition Figure to Face Court Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Announces
Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
No fewer than four protesters have been killed during skirmishes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he won the election, a assertion disputed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by police and security officers on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the UN, AU and EU demanding restraint.
Minister's Accusations
On Tuesday, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" demonstrations resulting in the fatalities, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.
Election Results
The president, who came to power in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October presidential election with over half of the votes, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Leader's Stance
Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had previously declared that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.
Following the vote count, he said that gunmen shot on protesters gathered near his home in Garoua, killing at least 2 individuals.
Investigation Revealed
Earlier this week, the government official revealed that an probe would be initiated into unrest prior to and following the publication of the vote outcome.
"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he commented, without offering a specific number of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.
The minister further mentioned that several officers of the security forces also suffered significant wounds.
Current Situation
Even though Nji asserted the state of affairs nationwide was now under control, demonstrators continue to protest in certain regions of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters established barricades on that day, and set fire to tires on the streets.
Observers caution that the post-electoral violence could push the nation into a political crisis.