Cameroonian Opposition Leader Faces Court Action Regarding Electoral Turmoil, Government Says

Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he provoked "violent election protests".

A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during confrontations between security forces and protesters since the electoral process on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he emerged victorious, a statement dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.

Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union demanding moderation.

Official's Claims

On Tuesday, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "unlawful" rallies causing the deaths, and also condemned him for claiming win in the election.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.

Vote Outcome

Paul Biya, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the October 12 presidential election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to try him, but he had previously declared that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he reported that security forces shot on protesters assembled near his residence in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.

Inquiry Launched

Recently, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be initiated into violent incidents before and after the publication of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved were killed," he stated, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been lost their lives in the incidents.

Nji noted that multiple members of the law enforcement also received major harm.

Current Situation

Even though Nji insisted the condition nationwide was now manageable, protesters remain active in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted roadblocks on that day, and ignited tires on the thoroughfares.

Analysts alert that the political turmoil could plunge the country into a political crisis.