Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Over Post-Election Violence, Government Announces
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he instigated "violent election protests".
No fewer than four protesters have been killed during confrontations between security forces and opposition supporters since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he emerged victorious, a assertion disputed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.
Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the United Nations, AU and EU calling for caution.
Minister's Accusations
On Tuesday, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unlawful" protests causing the fatalities, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the presidential race.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
Paul Biya, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the October 12 presidential election with over half of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Challenger's Position
Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the official announcement to try him, but he had before stated that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he claimed that security forces used lethal force on demonstrators gathered near his house in Garoua, killing at least two people.
Probe Launched
Recently, the government official disclosed that an probe would be started into violent incidents before and after the announcement of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals died," he stated, without offering a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the clashes.
Nji added that multiple personnel of the police and military also sustained significant wounds.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji insisted the condition nationwide was now manageable, demonstrators continue to protest in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up obstructions on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the thoroughfares.
Experts alert that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a political crisis.
