Cameroon Political Opposition Figure Confronts Court Action Over Post-Election Violence, Government Says
The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "violent election protests".
A minimum of 4 protesters have been lost their lives during confrontations between security forces and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth consecutive term.
The opposition leader asserts that he won the election, a statement rejected by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU urging restraint.
Minister's Allegations
Recently, Nji charged the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unlawful" rallies resulting in the loss of lives, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the presidential race.
He noted that the opposition leader's "associates involved in an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Election Results
Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the 12 October election with over half of the vote, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.
Opposition Response
The opposition figure is remains silent to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had previously declared that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.
On election result day, he said that security forces used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his residence in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.
Investigation Announced
Recently, the interior minister announced that an probe would be initiated into unrest surrounding the declaration of the vote outcome.
"During these attacks, some of the criminals lost their lives," he stated, without giving a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.
The minister added that multiple members of the police and military also received significant wounds.
Present Conditions
While Nji asserted the condition across the country was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where protesters established barricades on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.
Experts alert that the post-electoral violence could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.
