🔗 Share this article

The nation's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has stated that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he instigated "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

At least four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth consecutive term.

The opposition leader asserts that he was the true winner, a claim disputed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by security personnel on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, African Union and EU urging moderation.

Official's Allegations

On Tuesday, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "illegal" rallies causing the loss of lives, and also criticised him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, won the October 12 election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.

Leader's Stance

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had previously stated that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

On election result day, he reported that gunmen used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his home in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 people.

Inquiry Launched

On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an probe would be started into clashes surrounding the publication of the vote outcome.

"During these attacks, some of the criminals were killed," he stated, without giving a specific number of protesters who have been killed in the confrontations.

Nji noted that several personnel of the law enforcement also sustained significant wounds.

Ongoing Circumstances

While Nji maintained the state of affairs across the country was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on that day, and set fire to tyres on the roads.

Analysts caution that the election-related unrest could lead the country into a governmental instability.