🔗 Share this article

The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

No fewer than 4 protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between police and military and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a statement dismissed by the governing party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by security personnel on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the UN, AU and EU calling for restraint.

Official's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji alleged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "unauthorized" protests resulting in the deaths, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the presidential race.

He noted that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the October 12 election with over half of the vote, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.

Leader's Stance

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had previously announced that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he reported that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators assembled near his residence in Garoua, killing at least 2 individuals.

Investigation Revealed

On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be initiated into clashes prior to and following the announcement of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators were killed," he said, without giving a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.

The minister further mentioned that several personnel of the police and military also suffered serious injuries.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister insisted the condition across the country was now manageable, protesters continue to protest in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the streets.

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