Cameroon Opposition Figure to Face Legal Proceedings Regarding Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Announces

The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he provoked "violent electoral rallies".

No fewer than four protesters have been fatally wounded during confrontations between police and military and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a statement disputed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have concerned the global community, with the UN, AU and European Union demanding restraint.

Minister's Accusations

Earlier this week, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he referred to as "unlawful" rallies leading to the fatalities, and also criticised him for announcing success in the election.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates behind an rebellious scheme" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the October 12 vote with 53.7% of the vote, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had earlier declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he reported that armed men shot on protesters assembled near his residence in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.

Inquiry Announced

On Tuesday, the government official announced that an investigation would be initiated into unrest surrounding the publication of the poll figures.

"During these attacks, some of the criminals were killed," he commented, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the clashes.

Nji further mentioned that a number of officers of the security forces also suffered significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Even though Nji insisted the condition across the country was now stable, protesters continue to protest in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established obstructions on that day, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.

Observers warn that the election-related unrest could plunge the nation into a leadership vacuum.