🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over accusations that he provoked "aggressive electoral rallies".

At least 4 protesters have been lost their lives during skirmishes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Issa Tchiroma asserts that he emerged victorious, a statement disputed by the governing party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by police and security officers on protesters have worried the international community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for moderation.

Minister's Claims

On Tuesday, Nji accused the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unlawful" demonstrations leading to the deaths, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates behind an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Vote Outcome

Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the October 12 presidential election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being detained.

On election result day, he said that armed men opened fire on protesters assembled near his home in Garoua, killing at least two people.

Probe Revealed

Recently, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be launched into violent incidents surrounding the announcement of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he said, without offering a specific number of protesters who have been fatally injured in the incidents.

Nji added that multiple members of the security forces also received significant wounds.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though Nji maintained the situation across the country was now under control, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators mounted roadblocks on that day, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.

Observers alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a political crisis.