Cameroon Opposition Figure to Face Legal Action Over Election Unrest, Government Announces
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".
A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been lost their lives during skirmishes between police and military and opposition supporters since the presidential election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth presidential mandate.
The opposition leader asserts that he was the true winner, a statement disputed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the UN, African Union and European Union urging restraint.
Official's Accusations
On Tuesday, the interior minister alleged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "unauthorized" demonstrations leading to the fatalities, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.
Poll Figures
Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the October 12 election with a majority of the votes, compared to just over a third for his opponent, 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 declared that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he claimed that security forces opened fire on demonstrators assembled near his house in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 individuals.
Inquiry Revealed
Recently, the government official announced that an probe would be initiated into clashes prior to and following the publication of the poll figures.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals were killed," he said, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.
Nji noted that a number of members of the law enforcement also received serious injuries.
Present Conditions
Although Nji asserted the situation across the country was now stable, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted barricades on that day, and set fire to tyres on the streets.
Experts alert that the election-related unrest could plunge the country into a political crisis.