Cameroonian Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Regarding Post-Election Violence, Authorities Says
Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".
No fewer than four demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between security forces and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he was the true winner, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for restraint.
Official's Accusations
Recently, Nji charged the opposition figure of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" protests resulting in the loss of lives, and also condemned him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He noted that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
Vote Outcome
Paul Biya, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October vote with over half of the vote, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Leader's Stance
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the official announcement to try him, but he had before announced that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.
When results were announced, he claimed that security forces used lethal force on protesters present near his home in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.
Investigation Announced
Earlier this week, the government official disclosed that an investigation would be initiated into violent incidents prior to and following the publication of the vote outcome.
"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals lost their lives," he stated, without giving a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the incidents.
The minister noted that multiple officers of the law enforcement also received major harm.
Present Conditions
Even though the interior minister maintained the situation throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted obstructions on that day, and burnt tyres on the roads.
Analysts caution that the political turmoil could plunge the nation into a political crisis.
