Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Government Declares
Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over accusations that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
No fewer than four protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between law enforcement and protesters since the presidential election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth term in office.
Issa Tchiroma insists that he won the election, a statement rejected by the governing party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union demanding restraint.
Official's Allegations
Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "unauthorized" demonstrations leading to the loss of lives, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the presidential race.
He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators involved in an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.
Poll Figures
The president, who came to power in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the October 12 election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.
Leader's Stance
Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had earlier stated that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.
Following the vote count, he reported that armed men used lethal force on protesters gathered near his house in Garoua, killing at least two people.
Probe Revealed
Recently, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents before and after the publication of the poll figures.
"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators were killed," he commented, without providing a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.
The minister noted that a number of officers of the police and military also sustained major harm.
Present Conditions
While the interior minister maintained the situation throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators established roadblocks on that day, and set fire to tyres on the roads.
Observers caution that the political turmoil could plunge the nation into a leadership vacuum.