Cameroon Opposition Leader to Face Legal Action Concerning Post-Election Violence, Government Announces
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he instigated "violent post-election demonstrations".
At least 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between police and military and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth presidential mandate.
Issa Tchiroma asserts that he was the true winner, a statement rejected by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.
Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and European Union urging restraint.
Official's Accusations
Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "unlawful" demonstrations leading to the fatalities, and also condemned him for announcing success in the election.
He added that the opposition leader's "associates behind an rebellious scheme" will also be prosecuted.
Vote Outcome
Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.
Opposition Response
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
On election result day, he said that armed men shot on demonstrators assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.
Investigation Announced
On Tuesday, the government official announced that an probe would be launched into violent incidents surrounding the announcement of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he said, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the confrontations.
Nji further mentioned that a number of officers of the law enforcement also received major harm.
Current Situation
While Nji maintained the condition across the country was now manageable, protesters remain active in some parts of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up obstructions on that day, and burnt tires on the roads.
Experts warn that the election-related unrest could lead the nation into a political crisis.