🔗 Share this article

The nation's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has stated that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he incited "violent post-election demonstrations".

At least four protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between security forces and protesters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader insists that he emerged victorious, a statement dismissed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Forceful measures by law enforcement on protesters have concerned the international community, with the United Nations, AU and EU demanding restraint.

Official's Claims

On Tuesday, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of planning what he referred to as "unauthorized" demonstrations resulting in the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He noted that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 vote with over half of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Challenger's Position

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had previously stated that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he reported that armed men shot on protesters gathered near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.

Investigation Launched

Recently, the interior minister announced that an investigation would be launched into clashes surrounding the announcement of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he commented, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been fatally injured in the incidents.

Nji added that several members of the security forces also received serious injuries.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister maintained the condition nationwide was now manageable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in various areas of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted obstructions on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the roads.

Experts warn that the political turmoil could lead the country into a governmental instability.