Cameroonian Opposition Leader Confronts Court Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Government Says
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he instigated "aggressive electoral rallies".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between police and military and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he emerged victorious, a assertion rejected by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Aggressive responses by law enforcement on protesters have concerned the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for caution.
Official's Accusations
On Tuesday, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of coordinating what he described as "illegal" protests resulting in the fatalities, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the election.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an rebellious scheme" will also be prosecuted.
Vote Outcome
Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October vote with a majority of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.
Challenger's Position
The opposition figure is yet to respond to the government's decision to try him, but he had before announced that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being detained.
On election result day, he reported that armed men used lethal force on demonstrators present near his residence in the city of Garoua, killing at least two civilians.
Inquiry Launched
Recently, the government official disclosed that an inquiry would be launched into unrest surrounding the publication of the vote outcome.
"During these attacks, some of the criminals died," he said, without offering a specific number of protesters who have been fatally injured in the incidents.
The minister further mentioned that a number of personnel of the security forces also received major harm.
Current Situation
Although Nji maintained the condition nationwide was now stable, protesters remain active in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where protesters established obstructions on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the roads.
Experts warn that the political turmoil could lead the country into a leadership vacuum.