Cameroon Opposition Figure to Face Legal Proceedings Over Election Unrest, Government Announces

Political Demonstration in Cameroon
Many in Cameroon are furious that the president has won an eighth presidential term

The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between law enforcement and demonstrators since the electoral process on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a assertion dismissed by the governing party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by law enforcement on protesters have worried the international community, with the United Nations, African Union and EU urging moderation.

Minister's Allegations

Recently, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "illegal" rallies leading to the fatalities, and also criticised him for claiming win in the election.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 vote with over half of the votes, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to the electoral authority.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the government's decision to try him, but he had previously announced that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being detained.

On election result day, he claimed that armed men used lethal force on protesters gathered near his house in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least two civilians.

Inquiry Revealed

Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be started into unrest prior to and following the announcement of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he stated, without giving a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.

The minister added that multiple members of the law enforcement also received significant wounds.

Current Situation

Although the interior minister insisted the situation throughout Cameroon was now manageable, demonstrators remain active in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up obstructions on that day, and set fire to tires on the thoroughfares.

Analysts alert that the political turmoil could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.

Deborah Hunt
Deborah Hunt

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino reviews and slot strategy development.