🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he incited "violent election protests".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been fatally wounded during confrontations between police and military and demonstrators since the electoral process on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth consecutive term.

The opposition leader asserts that he won the election, a claim dismissed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Forceful measures by security personnel on demonstrators have concerned the global community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union demanding restraint.

Official's Allegations

Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" demonstrations resulting in the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the presidential race.

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

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, secured the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the votes, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Challenger's Position

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had earlier announced that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.

When results were announced, he said that armed men shot on protesters assembled near his house in Garoua, killing at least 2 civilians.

Investigation Launched

Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be started into clashes before and after the announcement of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.

Nji noted that a number of personnel of the police and military also sustained serious injuries.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister maintained the state of affairs across the country was now stable, protesters remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.

Analysts warn that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a political crisis.