🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between security forces and demonstrators since the presidential election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he emerged victorious, a assertion dismissed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union calling for moderation.

Official's Claims

Recently, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of coordinating what he labeled "unauthorized" demonstrations resulting in the deaths, and also condemned him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.

Election Results

The president, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the 12 October presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had previously declared that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he said that armed men shot on demonstrators gathered near his residence in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 civilians.

Investigation Launched

Recently, the interior minister disclosed that an investigation would be initiated into unrest prior to and following the announcement of the election results.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved died," he commented, without giving a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

Nji added that a number of members of the security forces also sustained major harm.

Present Conditions

While Nji asserted the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators established obstructions on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the streets.

Analysts warn that the political turmoil could lead the country into a governmental instability.