🔗 Share this article

The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over accusations that he incited "violent election protests".

A minimum of four protesters have been killed during confrontations between police and military and protesters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth term in office.

The opposition leader insists that he was the true winner, a claim rejected by the governing party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Aggressive responses by security personnel on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for moderation.

Minister's Claims

On Tuesday, Nji accused the opposition figure of organising what he labeled "unlawful" protests causing the fatalities, and also condemned him for announcing success in the presidential race.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

Paul Biya, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, secured the October 12 presidential election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is remains silent to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had before stated that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he said that security forces used lethal force on protesters assembled near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.

Investigation Launched

On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an inquiry would be started into unrest prior to and following the publication of the poll figures.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been killed in the clashes.

Nji further mentioned that several officers of the law enforcement also received major harm.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though the interior minister insisted the state of affairs across the country was now manageable, demonstrators continue to protest in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted roadblocks on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the roads.

Observers caution that the post-electoral violence could push the nation into a political crisis.