Cameroonian Political Opposition Figure to Face Legal Action Regarding Post-Election Violence, Government Declares

Political Demonstration in Cameroon
Numerous in Cameroon are furious that the president has secured an eighth presidential term

The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over accusations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".

No fewer than 4 protesters have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between security forces and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Issa Tchiroma maintains that he emerged victorious, a statement disputed by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by police and security officers on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and EU urging restraint.

Official's Accusations

On Tuesday, Nji alleged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "illegal" rallies causing the fatalities, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Challenger's Position

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had previously declared that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he said that security forces shot on protesters present near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 people.

Investigation Launched

Recently, the interior minister announced that an inquiry would be started into clashes before and after the declaration of the poll figures.

"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he commented, without offering a specific number of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

The minister added that several officers of the security forces also received serious injuries.

Current Situation

While the interior minister insisted the condition across the country was now manageable, protesters remain active in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters established obstructions on that day, and burnt rubber on the roads.

Experts warn that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a governmental instability.

Kimberly Sanchez
Kimberly Sanchez

A passionate science writer with a background in astrophysics, sharing discoveries and inspiring curiosity about the universe.