🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he provoked "violent electoral rallies".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been lost their lives during clashes between law enforcement and protesters since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he won the election, a statement rejected by the governing party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by police and security officers on protesters have worried the global community, with the UN, African Union and EU urging restraint.

Official's Claims

Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "unlawful" protests causing the deaths, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the presidential race.

He added that the opposition leader's "associates responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Challenger's Position

The opposition figure is remains silent to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had earlier announced that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being arrested.

When results were announced, he said that gunmen shot on demonstrators gathered near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.

Investigation Revealed

Earlier this week, the government official announced that an probe would be started into violent incidents before and after the announcement of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved were killed," he stated, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the confrontations.

The minister added that multiple officers of the police and military also suffered serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

While the interior minister insisted the condition across the country was now manageable, protesters remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the streets.

Observers warn that the election-related unrest could push the country into a leadership vacuum.