Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has stated that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "violent post-election demonstrations".
At least 4 protesters have been killed during confrontations between security forces and opposition supporters since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth consecutive term.
Issa Tchiroma asserts that he won the election, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.
Aggressive responses by police and security officers on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union demanding moderation.
Minister's Claims
Recently, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he described as "unlawful" demonstrations causing the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the election.
He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted.
Poll Figures
Cameroon's leader, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October presidential election with over half of the votes, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Challenger's Position
Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had previously stated that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.
Following the vote count, he reported that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators present near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.
Investigation Revealed
Earlier this week, the government official disclosed that an investigation would be started into violent incidents surrounding the publication of the vote outcome.
"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved died," he said, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the clashes.
Nji noted that a number of personnel of the security forces also received significant wounds.
Present Conditions
Even though Nji maintained the condition nationwide was now manageable, protesters remain active in some parts of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators established barricades on Tuesday, and burnt tires on the roads.
Analysts alert that the political turmoil could lead the nation into a governmental instability.
