🔗 Share this article

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been lost their lives during skirmishes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth term in office.

The opposition leader asserts that he emerged victorious, a statement dismissed by the governing party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Forceful measures by law enforcement on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the UN, African Union and European Union demanding caution.

Official's Accusations

On Tuesday, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "unauthorized" protests resulting in the deaths, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates behind an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the October 12 election with a majority of the votes, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the authorities' move to try him, but he had previously announced that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being detained.

On election result day, he said that gunmen shot on protesters gathered near his residence in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 civilians.

Investigation Announced

Earlier this week, the interior minister disclosed that an probe would be started into unrest prior to and following the announcement of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved died," he said, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

Nji noted that several members of the security forces also received serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though the interior minister insisted the state of affairs across the country was now under control, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where protesters established barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the roads.

Experts caution that the political turmoil could push the nation into a leadership vacuum.