Cameroonian Opposition Leader Confronts Court Action Concerning Electoral Turmoil, Government Declares

Election Protest in Cameroon
Many in Cameroon show outrage over the fact that the president has secured an eighth term

The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over accusations that he incited "violent post-election demonstrations".

At least four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between law enforcement and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth term in office.

Issa Tchiroma insists that he won the election, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by police and security officers on demonstrators have concerned the global community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for restraint.

Official's Accusations

Recently, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "illegal" protests causing the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices behind an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.

Election Results

Paul Biya, who took control in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the October 12 presidential election with over half of the votes, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Leader's Stance

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had before declared that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he claimed that security forces shot on demonstrators present near his house in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 people.

Investigation Revealed

Earlier this week, the government official announced that an probe would be started into violent incidents prior to and following the publication of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals died," he said, without offering a specific number of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.

Nji further mentioned that a number of officers of the police and military also received major harm.

Current Situation

Even though the interior minister maintained the condition across the country was now manageable, protesters are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in urban centers, where protesters mounted barricades on that day, and burnt tires on the thoroughfares.

Experts alert that the political turmoil could plunge the nation into a leadership vacuum.

Jamie Hernandez
Jamie Hernandez

A tech entrepreneur and writer with over a decade of experience in digital transformation and startup ecosystems.