Cameroon Political Opposition Figure Faces Court Action Regarding Election Unrest, Government Announces
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
At least 4 protesters have been killed during skirmishes between law enforcement and opposition supporters 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 claim disputed by the governing party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the United Nations, African Union and EU calling for moderation.
Minister's Accusations
Recently, Nji alleged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "unauthorized" rallies leading to the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the election.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
The president, who took control in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had earlier declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being arrested.
When results were announced, he reported that armed men used lethal force on protesters present near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.
Investigation Revealed
Recently, the interior minister announced that an probe would be started into unrest surrounding the announcement of the election results.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved were killed," he commented, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji added that a number of personnel of the law enforcement also suffered serious injuries.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji asserted the situation nationwide was now manageable, protesters continue to protest in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted obstructions on that day, and burnt rubber on the streets.
Experts warn that the political turmoil could plunge the nation into a governmental instability.