Cameroonian Opposition Figure Faces Legal Proceedings Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Announces

Election Protest in Cameroon
Numerous in Cameroon show outrage that Paul Biya has won an eighth term

Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".

A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been killed during skirmishes between security forces and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he emerged victorious, a claim dismissed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by police and security officers on protesters have worried the global community, with the UN, African Union and European Union demanding moderation.

Official's Allegations

Earlier this week, Nji alleged the opposition figure of organising what he described as "unauthorized" rallies causing the deaths, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the election.

He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Election Results

Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the votes, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.

Challenger's Position

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had earlier declared that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he reported that armed men opened fire on demonstrators present near his residence in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least two people.

Probe Launched

Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an inquiry would be launched into unrest before and after the announcement of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved were killed," he said, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the clashes.

Nji further mentioned that multiple officers of the security forces also suffered serious injuries.

Current Situation

Although the interior minister maintained the situation across the country was now stable, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up barricades on that day, and ignited tires on the streets.

Experts warn that the election-related unrest could push the nation into a political crisis.

Ronald Cox
Ronald Cox

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