🔗 Share this article

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

A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between police and military and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he was the true winner, a statement dismissed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by law enforcement on protesters have worried the international community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for caution.

Minister's Allegations

On Tuesday, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of organising what he described as "illegal" demonstrations causing the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the 12 October vote with over half of the votes, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.

Challenger's Position

Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had earlier stated that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he reported that security forces shot on protesters assembled near his residence in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two people.

Investigation Announced

Earlier this week, the government official announced that an inquiry would be initiated into violent incidents before and after the declaration of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators died," he said, without giving a specific number of protesters who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.

The minister added that multiple officers of the security forces also suffered significant wounds.

Present Conditions

While the interior minister maintained the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now stable, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where protesters mounted obstructions on Tuesday, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.

Observers caution that the political turmoil could lead the nation into a leadership vacuum.