Cameroonian Opposition Figure Faces Legal Proceedings Concerning Post-Election Violence, Authorities Announces
The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he incited "violent election protests".
At least four demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between law enforcement and protesters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth consecutive term.
The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a assertion dismissed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the world leaders, with the UN, AU and EU urging restraint.
Minister's Allegations
On Tuesday, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he described as "unauthorized" demonstrations leading to the deaths, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Election Results
Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Challenger's Position
Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had previously announced that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.
Following the vote count, he said that security forces shot on protesters assembled near his house in the city of Garoua, killing at least two people.
Probe Revealed
Recently, the government official revealed that an probe would be launched into unrest surrounding the publication of the election results.
"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he commented, without providing a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji further mentioned that multiple personnel of the security forces also received significant wounds.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji insisted the condition nationwide was now stable, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators established barricades on that day, and ignited rubber on the streets.
Observers warn that the post-electoral violence could push the country into a political crisis.
