Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Over Post-Election Violence, Government Says
The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".
No fewer than four protesters have been killed during clashes between security forces and protesters since the electoral process on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth term in office.
Issa Tchiroma maintains that he was the true winner, a assertion dismissed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.
Forceful measures by police and security officers on protesters have concerned the international community, with the UN, AU and EU demanding restraint.
Official's Claims
Recently, Nji alleged the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" demonstrations causing the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "associates responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also be prosecuted.
Poll Figures
Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, secured the 12 October election with over half of the votes, compared to 35.2% for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is yet to respond to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.
Following the vote count, he reported that security forces used lethal force on protesters gathered near his residence in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.
Investigation Revealed
Recently, the government official revealed that an probe would be launched into unrest before and after the declaration of the election results.
"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators died," he commented, without providing a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji noted that several officers of the security forces also received major harm.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji insisted the condition nationwide was now stable, protesters remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted roadblocks on that day, and ignited rubber on the roads.
Experts warn that the election-related unrest could plunge the nation into a governmental instability.