🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he instigated "violent election protests".

A minimum of four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators since the presidential election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he won the election, a assertion dismissed by the governing party, the CPDM.

Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and EU urging moderation.

Minister's Accusations

Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "unlawful" rallies resulting in the fatalities, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the election.

He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Election Results

The president, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is yet to respond to the official announcement to try him, but he had before stated that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he reported that armed men opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his house in Garoua, causing the death of at least two civilians.

Probe Launched

On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be initiated into unrest before and after the declaration of the vote outcome.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators were killed," he commented, without giving a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.

Nji noted that multiple officers of the security forces also suffered major harm.

Current Situation

While the interior minister insisted the situation throughout Cameroon was now stable, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators established obstructions on that day, and ignited tyres on the streets.

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