Cameroon Political Opposition Figure Faces Legal Proceedings Regarding Election Unrest, Authorities Announces

Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he instigated "aggressive election protests".

No fewer than 4 protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between police and military and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a claim disputed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Aggressive responses by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the global community, with the United Nations, AU and EU urging moderation.

Minister's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji charged the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unauthorized" demonstrations causing the fatalities, and also criticised him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "associates behind an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.

Election Results

Paul Biya, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the 12 October election with over half of the vote, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the government's decision to try him, but he had previously stated that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being detained.

Following the vote count, he reported that armed men used lethal force on protesters assembled near his home in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.

Investigation Revealed

Earlier this week, the government official disclosed that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents prior to and following the declaration of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without giving a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.

The minister added that several officers of the law enforcement also sustained major harm.

Current Situation

While Nji asserted the situation across the country was now stable, protesters remain active in various areas of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted roadblocks on that day, and set fire to rubber on the roads.

Observers alert that the political turmoil could push the country into a governmental instability.