Cameroonian Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Concerning Election Unrest, Authorities Says

The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between security forces and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

The opposition leader maintains that he won the election, a statement disputed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Aggressive responses by security personnel on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union urging restraint.

Official's Allegations

Earlier this week, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he described as "unlawful" rallies causing the fatalities, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He added that the opposition leader's "associates behind an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Poll Figures

The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the October 12 election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

When results were announced, he reported that gunmen shot on demonstrators assembled near his house in Garoua, killing at least two people.

Investigation Revealed

Recently, the interior minister disclosed that an inquiry would be started into clashes surrounding the declaration of the vote outcome.

"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved died," he commented, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.

Nji added that a number of members of the police and military also sustained significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Although Nji maintained the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now stable, protesters are still demonstrating in various areas of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up obstructions on Tuesday, and burnt tyres on the thoroughfares.

Analysts warn that the election-related unrest could push the country into a governmental instability.