🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been fatally wounded during confrontations between law enforcement and protesters since the electoral process on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader maintains that he won the election, a assertion dismissed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for restraint.

Minister's Accusations

Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "unauthorized" protests leading to the fatalities, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates behind an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, secured the October 12 election with over half of the vote, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Leader's Stance

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to try him, but he had before declared that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being detained.

When results were announced, he said that armed men shot on demonstrators assembled near his home in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 individuals.

Inquiry Announced

Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an inquiry would be started into violent incidents surrounding the announcement of the election results.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he stated, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.

The minister noted that several members of the security forces also sustained major harm.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister asserted the condition across the country was now manageable, protesters continue to protest in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators mounted barricades on Tuesday, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.

Observers caution that the political turmoil could lead the nation into a leadership vacuum.