🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he incited "violent electoral rallies".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and protesters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he was the true winner, a statement dismissed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have concerned the global community, with the United Nations, African Union and European Union demanding moderation.

Minister's Accusations

On Tuesday, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "unauthorized" demonstrations leading to the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the presidential race.

He noted that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Election Results

Paul Biya, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the October 12 presidential election with over half of the votes, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is yet to respond to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had earlier announced that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

When results were announced, he said that gunmen opened fire on protesters assembled near his residence in Garoua, killing at least 2 people.

Inquiry Launched

Recently, the government official disclosed that an probe would be started into violent incidents before and after the declaration of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals were killed," he commented, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

Nji noted that multiple personnel of the law enforcement also received major harm.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister insisted the state of affairs across the country was now under control, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted barricades on that day, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.

Analysts alert that the election-related unrest could lead the nation into a leadership vacuum.