Cameroon Political Opposition Figure Faces Legal Action Regarding Post-Election Violence, Authorities Declares
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between security forces and protesters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he emerged victorious, a assertion rejected by the incumbent party, the CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the international community, with the UN, AU and EU urging caution.
Minister's Allegations
Recently, the interior minister accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" rallies causing the fatalities, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "associates behind an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the October 12 election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.
When results were announced, he said that armed men shot on protesters assembled near his house in the city of Garoua, killing at least 2 people.
Probe Launched
Recently, the government official disclosed that an inquiry would be started into clashes surrounding the publication of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals died," he said, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.
Nji further mentioned that multiple officers of the law enforcement also sustained major harm.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji asserted the state of affairs across the country was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators mounted roadblocks on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the thoroughfares.
Observers alert that the election-related unrest could push the nation into a leadership vacuum.