🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

At least four demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between police and military and opposition supporters since the electoral process on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

The opposition leader insists that he emerged victorious, a assertion dismissed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Aggressive responses by police and security officers on demonstrators have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for caution.

Minister's Allegations

Recently, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "unauthorized" demonstrations leading to the deaths, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.

Vote Outcome

Paul Biya, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October vote with over half of the vote, compared to 35.2% for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had previously declared that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.

On election result day, he said that security forces shot on protesters present near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 individuals.

Probe Announced

Recently, the government official announced that an probe would be started into unrest surrounding the announcement of the poll figures.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he commented, without providing a precise figure of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.

Nji further mentioned that several members of the law enforcement also suffered major harm.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though the interior minister asserted the condition nationwide was now manageable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up barricades on that day, and ignited tires on the roads.

Observers alert that the post-electoral violence could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.