Cameroonian Political Opposition Figure to Face Court Action Over Election Unrest, Authorities Declares
Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".
No fewer than 4 protesters have been killed during clashes between police and military and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth consecutive term.
The opposition leader maintains that he won the election, a statement rejected by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.
Forceful measures by police and security officers on demonstrators have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for restraint.
Official's Allegations
On Tuesday, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "unlawful" demonstrations resulting in the fatalities, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the election.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "associates behind an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Vote Outcome
Paul Biya, who took control in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had previously stated that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being detained.
On election result day, he claimed that security forces shot on demonstrators present near his residence in the city of Garoua, killing at least two individuals.
Probe Launched
On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an probe would be initiated into clashes before and after the announcement of the election results.
"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals lost their lives," he stated, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji noted that several officers of the law enforcement also received significant wounds.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji maintained the state of affairs across the country was now manageable, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators mounted barricades on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.
Experts warn that the political turmoil could plunge the nation into a leadership vacuum.