Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Action Regarding Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Says
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he provoked "violent election protests".
At least four protesters have been killed during clashes between police and military and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth consecutive term.
The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a assertion rejected by the incumbent party, the CPDM.
Aggressive responses by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and EU calling for restraint.
Official's Claims
Recently, Nji alleged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he referred to as "illegal" rallies leading to the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
The president, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the October 12 vote with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.
Opposition Response
Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had earlier stated that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being detained.
When results were announced, he reported that armed men used lethal force on demonstrators gathered near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.
Probe Revealed
Earlier this week, the interior minister disclosed that an investigation would be started into unrest surrounding the publication of the election results.
"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without giving a exact count of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji further mentioned that multiple officers of the law enforcement also received serious injuries.
Present Conditions
Even though the interior minister asserted the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, protesters remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on that day, and burnt tires on the roads.
Observers warn that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a governmental instability.
