Cameroonian Opposition Figure Faces Court Action Regarding Post-Election Violence, Government Announces
The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he instigated "aggressive election protests".
A minimum of 4 protesters have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the electoral process on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he was the true winner, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Forceful measures by law enforcement on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the United Nations, African Union and EU demanding caution.
Official's Claims
Earlier this week, Nji accused the opposition figure of planning what he described as "unauthorized" rallies leading to the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the presidential race.
He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.
Vote Outcome
The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the October 12 election with a majority of the ballots, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.
Leader's Stance
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to try him, but he had previously stated that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.
When results were announced, he reported that armed men opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his residence in Garoua, killing at least two individuals.
Probe Revealed
On Tuesday, the government official announced that an investigation would be launched into unrest before and after the announcement of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he stated, without providing a precise figure of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the incidents.
Nji further mentioned that several officers of the police and military also sustained major harm.
Present Conditions
Although the interior minister maintained the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators established roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.
Observers alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a political crisis.