🔗 Share this article

The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

No fewer than 4 demonstrators have been lost their lives during confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth consecutive term.

The opposition leader asserts that he emerged victorious, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have concerned the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union urging caution.

Minister's Accusations

Earlier this week, Nji accused the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unauthorized" demonstrations causing the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

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

Election Results

Paul Biya, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to 35.2% for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had earlier declared that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he reported that security forces shot on protesters assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 civilians.

Investigation Launched

Recently, the government official announced that an investigation would be started into clashes prior to and following the announcement of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators died," he commented, without giving a precise figure of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.

Nji further mentioned that a number of personnel of the law enforcement also sustained significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Even though Nji maintained the condition across the country was now stable, demonstrators remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established barricades on that day, and set fire to tyres on the roads.

Experts warn that the post-electoral violence could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.