Cameroon Political Opposition Leader to Face Legal Proceedings Concerning Post-Election Violence, Government Says
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
No fewer than four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between security forces and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth presidential mandate.
Issa Tchiroma maintains that he won the election, a assertion disputed by the governing party, the CPDM.
Forceful measures by law enforcement on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and EU demanding restraint.
Minister's Allegations
Earlier this week, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he referred to as "unauthorized" protests resulting in the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the presidential race.
He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices responsible for an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Poll Figures
The president, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the vote, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.
Leader's Stance
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the government's decision to try him, but he had earlier announced that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being detained.
Following the vote count, he claimed that armed men opened fire on protesters assembled near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least two civilians.
Probe Announced
Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be started into unrest before and after the announcement of the poll figures.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved died," he said, without providing a precise figure of protesters who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji further mentioned that several officers of the security forces also suffered serious injuries.
Current Situation
Although the interior minister asserted the condition nationwide was now stable, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters established barricades on Tuesday, and burnt tires on the thoroughfares.
Observers caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a governmental instability.
