Cameroon Opposition Leader to Face Court Action Regarding Election Unrest, Authorities Says
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he instigated "violent election protests".
No fewer than four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during confrontations between security forces and protesters since the electoral process on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth presidential mandate.
The opposition leader asserts that he was the true winner, a claim dismissed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and EU calling for restraint.
Minister's Claims
Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "unlawful" protests causing the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
The president, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.
Leader's Stance
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to try him, but he had earlier declared that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being detained.
Following the vote count, he said that armed men opened fire on protesters assembled near his residence in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 civilians.
Inquiry Revealed
Recently, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be initiated into clashes surrounding the announcement of the vote outcome.
"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators were killed," he said, without providing a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.
The minister further mentioned that multiple personnel of the police and military also received significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
While the interior minister insisted the condition across the country was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in various areas of the country, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators mounted roadblocks on that day, and burnt rubber on the roads.
Experts warn that the post-electoral violence could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.