🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over accusations that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of four protesters have been killed during skirmishes between police and military and demonstrators since the presidential election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth term in office.

The opposition leader insists that he emerged victorious, a statement disputed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Forceful measures by security personnel on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for restraint.

Minister's Claims

On Tuesday, the interior minister accused Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he described as "unlawful" demonstrations causing the fatalities, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

Paul Biya, who took control in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October vote with over half of the vote, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he said that gunmen shot on protesters present near his residence in Garoua, killing at least 2 civilians.

Probe Announced

Recently, the interior minister announced that an investigation would be initiated into clashes surrounding the declaration of the vote outcome.

"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved were killed," he commented, without giving a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.

Nji further mentioned that multiple personnel of the police and military also sustained major harm.

Present Conditions

While the interior minister asserted the state of affairs nationwide was now under control, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters set up barricades on that day, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.

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