Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations of inciting violent post-election demonstrations following the presidential elections on October 12th.
At least four protesters have reportedly died amid clashes between security forces and Bakary's supporters, with tensions escalating after 92-year-old President Paul Biya was declared the winner, securing an eighth consecutive term with 53.7% of the votes.
Bakary has disputed the results, claiming he won, a statement dismissed by Biya's ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM). The situation has drawn heavy criticism from international organizations, including the UN and the African Union, urging the government to exercise restraint amid violent crackdowns on protests.
On Tuesday, Nji accused Bakary of organizing illegal protests leading to violence and also indicated that those he purported was an insurrectionary plan would also face judicial consequences. Bakary, who previously expressed his determination to contest the results, has not yet publicly responded to the government's assertions.
The unrest has led many to fear a potential political crisis, as protest actions continue in areas such as Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators have erected barricades and set tyres ablaze. Analysts emphasize that the intensity of post-electoral violence might deepen the crisis.
An investigation into the violent incidents surrounding the election results is underway, with the minister indicating some involved have met violent ends, although specific casualty figures were not provided.
