Cameroonian Opposition Leader Confronts Legal Proceedings Over Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Says

Election Demonstration in Cameroon
Many in Cameroon show outrage that Paul Biya has secured an eighth term

The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he provoked "aggressive electoral rallies".

At least four protesters have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth consecutive term.

The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a claim dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by security personnel on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the United Nations, African Union and EU calling for caution.

Minister's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he referred to as "unlawful" rallies leading to the fatalities, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the October 12 presidential election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had earlier declared that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he said that gunmen opened fire on protesters assembled near his house in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 civilians.

Investigation Revealed

Recently, the government official disclosed that an probe would be started into violent incidents before and after the publication of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators were killed," he said, without offering a specific number of protesters who have been killed in the confrontations.

The minister further mentioned that multiple personnel of the police and military also suffered significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Even though the interior minister maintained the state of affairs nationwide was now manageable, demonstrators remain active in some parts of the country, especially in urban centers, where protesters established roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt tyres on the roads.

Observers caution that the political turmoil could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.

Catherine Foster
Catherine Foster

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