Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Over Election Unrest, Government Declares

The nation's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he instigated "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of four demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and protesters since the electoral process on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he won the election, a assertion dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Violent crackdowns by police and security officers on protesters have concerned the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for moderation.

Minister's Allegations

Recently, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "unlawful" rallies leading to the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the election.

He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

The president, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 election with over half of the votes, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.

Challenger's Position

The opposition figure is remains silent to the government's decision to try him, but he had earlier declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he claimed that armed men opened fire on protesters present near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.

Inquiry Revealed

Earlier this week, the interior minister announced that an probe would be launched into violent incidents surrounding the declaration of the election results.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators died," he commented, without giving a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.

Nji added that several personnel of the law enforcement also received major harm.

Current Situation

Even though Nji maintained the condition across the country was now manageable, protesters are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in urban centers, where protesters set up roadblocks on that day, and ignited rubber on the streets.

Experts alert that the election-related unrest could push the nation into a governmental instability.