Cameroonian Political Opposition Figure Confronts Legal Action Regarding Post-Election Violence, Government Announces
Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over accusations that he provoked "aggressive election protests".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between police and military and demonstrators since the presidential election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth presidential mandate.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he won the election, a claim disputed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union urging moderation.
Official's Accusations
On Tuesday, Nji charged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "illegal" protests causing the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the electoral contest.
He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators behind an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.
Vote Outcome
Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the October 12 presidential election with over half of the votes, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.
Leader's Stance
The opposition figure is yet to respond to the official announcement to try him, but he had previously announced that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being detained.
When results were announced, he claimed that security forces opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his home in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.
Inquiry Announced
Earlier this week, the interior minister disclosed that an inquiry would be initiated into unrest prior to and following the publication of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators were killed," he commented, without giving a specific number of protesters who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.
The minister added that multiple officers of the security forces also suffered significant wounds.
Ongoing Circumstances
While Nji maintained the state of affairs nationwide was now manageable, protesters remain active in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.
Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a political crisis.