Cameroon Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Announces

Political Demonstration in Cameroon
Many in Cameroon show outrage over the fact that the president has secured an eighth term

The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he incited "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

At least four demonstrators have been lost their lives during confrontations between police and military and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he won the election, a claim disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

Forceful measures by police and security officers on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the UN, AU and EU calling for moderation.

Minister's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" demonstrations resulting in the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

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

Poll Figures

Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to the constitutional court.

Challenger's Position

Issa Tchiroma 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 detained.

Following the vote count, he claimed that security forces shot on demonstrators present near his home in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.

Investigation Announced

On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an inquiry would be started into clashes prior to and following the announcement of the poll figures.

"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he commented, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.

Nji further mentioned that several officers of the security forces also suffered significant wounds.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though Nji maintained the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, demonstrators remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators established obstructions on that day, and burnt tires on the roads.

Observers alert that the political turmoil could push the country into a political crisis.

James Harmon
James Harmon

Urban planner and writer with over a decade of experience in sustainable city development and community-focused design projects.