🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he incited "violent post-election demonstrations".

At least 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between law enforcement and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

Issa Tchiroma insists that he emerged victorious, a claim rejected by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.

Aggressive responses by police and security officers on demonstrators have worried the international community, with the United Nations, African Union and European Union urging moderation.

Minister's Allegations

On Tuesday, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "unauthorized" protests resulting in the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "associates responsible for an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to the constitutional court.

Leader's Stance

Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had before announced that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

When results were announced, he said that armed men shot on protesters gathered near his residence in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 individuals.

Investigation Revealed

On Tuesday, the government official announced that an inquiry would be launched into unrest before and after the announcement of the poll figures.

"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he stated, without giving a exact count of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

Nji noted that multiple members of the law enforcement also suffered serious injuries.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister asserted the condition throughout Cameroon was now manageable, protesters remain active in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators mounted roadblocks on that day, and burnt tires on the streets.

Experts alert that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a leadership vacuum.