Cameroonian Opposition Figure Confronts Court Action Over Post-Election Violence, Authorities Announces
Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "violent electoral rallies".
At least 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during confrontations between police and military and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth consecutive term.
Issa Tchiroma maintains that he was the true winner, a claim rejected by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Forceful measures by police and security officers on demonstrators have worried the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union calling for caution.
Minister's Claims
Recently, the interior minister accused Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he referred to as "illegal" protests leading to the loss of lives, and also condemned him for announcing success in the election.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices behind an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, secured the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Leader's Stance
The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being detained.
On election result day, he reported that gunmen shot on protesters present near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 civilians.
Inquiry Revealed
Recently, the interior minister announced that an investigation would be initiated into clashes before and after the publication of the election results.
"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he stated, without providing a specific number of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.
Nji further mentioned that several officers of the police and military also sustained serious injuries.
Present Conditions
Although Nji asserted the situation throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited tires on the thoroughfares.
Observers caution that the political turmoil could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.
