Cameroonian Political Opposition Figure Confronts Legal Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Declares
The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".
At least 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between security forces and protesters since the presidential election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he was the true winner, a assertion disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Forceful measures by police and security officers on protesters have concerned the international community, with the UN, African Union and European Union demanding moderation.
Official's Allegations
On Tuesday, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of organising what he labeled "unauthorized" protests causing the fatalities, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the election.
He noted that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.
Vote Outcome
The president, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the October 12 election with a majority of the votes, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the government's decision to try him, but he had before announced that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.
When results were announced, he reported that armed men shot on demonstrators present near his home in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 civilians.
Probe Launched
On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be started into violent incidents surrounding the declaration of the election results.
"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without providing a specific number of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.
The minister further mentioned that several members of the security forces also received significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
While Nji insisted the situation throughout Cameroon was now manageable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt tyres on the streets.
Analysts warn that the post-electoral violence could plunge the country into a governmental instability.