Cameroon Political Opposition Leader to Face Legal Proceedings Regarding Post-Election Violence, Authorities Announces
Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
No fewer than 4 protesters have been fatally wounded during confrontations between police and military and opposition supporters since the electoral process on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a claim disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Aggressive responses by law enforcement on demonstrators have concerned the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for moderation.
Minister's Claims
Recently, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "illegal" demonstrations causing the loss of lives, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the presidential race.
He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates behind an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.
Poll Figures
The president, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October election with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Opposition Response
Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the official announcement to try him, but he had previously announced that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being detained.
Following the vote count, he claimed that armed men shot on demonstrators present near his home in Garoua, killing at least two individuals.
Investigation Launched
On Tuesday, the government official disclosed that an investigation would be started into violent incidents prior to and following the announcement of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved died," he said, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.
The minister added that multiple officers of the security forces also received significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
Although the interior minister asserted the condition nationwide was now stable, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up obstructions on Tuesday, and burnt tyres on the streets.
Observers warn that the post-electoral violence could push the nation into a political crisis.