Cameroonian Political Opposition Leader Faces Legal Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Government Announces

Political Demonstration in Cameroon
Numerous in Cameroon show outrage that the president has secured an eighth presidential term

The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over accusations that he instigated "aggressive electoral rallies".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a statement rejected by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Forceful measures by police and security officers on demonstrators have worried the international community, with the United Nations, AU and EU urging caution.

Official's Allegations

On Tuesday, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he referred to as "unauthorized" demonstrations leading to the loss of lives, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators involved in an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October vote with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Challenger's Position

Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had before announced that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he reported that armed men used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his house in Garoua, killing at least 2 civilians.

Probe Revealed

Earlier this week, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be started into clashes before and after the publication of the poll figures.

"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he said, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the incidents.

The minister added that multiple personnel of the law enforcement also sustained major harm.

Current Situation

While the interior minister insisted the condition nationwide was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators established roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt tires on the streets.

Experts caution that the post-electoral violence could plunge the country into a political crisis.

Christine Mitchell
Christine Mitchell

A wildlife biologist with over a decade of experience studying sloths in Central America, passionate about conservation and environmental education.