🔗 Share this article

The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been lost their lives during skirmishes between police and military and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth consecutive term.

Issa Tchiroma asserts that he emerged victorious, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the CPDM.

Aggressive responses by police and security officers on demonstrators have worried the international community, with the United Nations, AU and EU urging restraint.

Minister's Claims

Earlier this week, the interior minister accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "unlawful" protests causing the fatalities, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the presidential race.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates responsible for an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

Paul Biya, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, won the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the votes, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Challenger's Position

Tchiroma Bakary is yet to respond to the authorities' move to try him, but he had before stated that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he said that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, killing at least two civilians.

Inquiry Revealed

Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be started into violent incidents before and after the announcement of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators died," he commented, without offering a exact count of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.

The minister added that a number of members of the security forces also suffered major harm.

Current Situation

While the interior minister maintained the state of affairs across the country was now stable, demonstrators continue to protest in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters set up obstructions on Tuesday, and burnt tyres on the thoroughfares.

Experts warn that the election-related unrest could plunge the nation into a political crisis.