🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he instigated "violent post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during confrontations between security forces and opposition supporters since the presidential election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he won the election, a claim dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and EU urging restraint.

Official's Claims

Earlier this week, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of planning what he referred to as "unlawful" demonstrations resulting in the fatalities, and also condemned him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an rebellious scheme" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

The president, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, won the 12 October election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Challenger's Position

Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had before announced that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he claimed that armed men shot on demonstrators gathered near his home in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.

Inquiry Announced

On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an investigation would be launched into clashes prior to and following the announcement of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without providing a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.

Nji noted that a number of personnel of the police and military also sustained serious injuries.

Present Conditions

While the interior minister insisted the situation nationwide was now manageable, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators established barricades on that day, and ignited tires on the streets.

Experts alert that the election-related unrest could lead the country into a political crisis.