Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action following accusations of inciting violent post-election demonstrations. The unrest erupted after the presidential election on October 12, during which at least four protesters were killed as clashes occurred between security forces and Bakary’s supporters.
Bakary contends he was the true winner, a position rejected by the ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
The violent reactions to these elections have drawn the attention of the international community, prompting calls for restraint from entities like the UN, African Union, and the EU.
Nji criticized Bakary for allegedly organizing illegal protests that led to fatalities, claiming that others associated with him will also face charges for purportedly orchestrating an insurrection.
Despite claims by Biya’s administration that he won with 53.7% of the vote compared to Bakary’s 35.2%, Bakary argues that he will not concede to what he deems a fraudulent election process. He previously expressed a lack of fear regarding potential arrest, maintaining that the votes were stolen.
On the day elections were announced, Bakary reported that armed individuals opened fire on demonstrators near his home, claiming the lives of at least two civilians. In light of these events, Interior Minister Nji revealed that investigations into incidences of violence are underway.
Though the government claims control over the situation, protests continue in various regions, attracting fears that the unrest could evolve into a broader political crisis.
