Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Concerning Post-Election Violence, Authorities Declares
Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he provoked "aggressive election protests".
A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been killed during clashes between security forces and protesters since the presidential election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth term in office.
The opposition leader maintains that he was the true winner, a assertion dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.
Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU demanding caution.
Minister's Claims
On Tuesday, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of organising what he labeled "illegal" rallies leading to the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the presidential race.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "associates behind an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.
Poll Figures
The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, won the October 12 presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Leader's Stance
Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the official announcement to try him, but he had earlier stated that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he said that armed men shot on protesters gathered near his residence in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 individuals.
Investigation Launched
Recently, the interior minister announced that an probe would be initiated into unrest prior to and following the publication of the election results.
"During these attacks, some of the criminals died," he stated, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the clashes.
Nji noted that multiple members of the police and military also suffered significant wounds.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji maintained the state of affairs across the country was now manageable, demonstrators remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted obstructions on that day, and burnt tyres on the streets.
Experts alert that the election-related unrest could push the country into a political crisis.
