Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he instigated "violent electoral rallies".
At least 4 protesters have been killed during clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators since the electoral process on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth consecutive term.
Issa Tchiroma maintains that he emerged victorious, a claim rejected by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Forceful measures by security personnel on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and EU calling for restraint.
Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "unauthorized" protests causing the loss of lives, and also condemned him for announcing success in the presidential race.
He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates responsible for an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.
The president, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October election with a majority of the votes, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.
Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had earlier declared that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.
Following the vote count, he reported that armed men opened fire on protesters present near his residence in the city of Garoua, killing at least 2 people.
Recently, the interior minister disclosed that an inquiry would be launched into clashes before and after the declaration of the vote outcome.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved died," he commented, without giving a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.
The minister added that multiple members of the security forces also sustained significant wounds.
Although the interior minister insisted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now manageable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators mounted barricades on Tuesday, and ignited tires on the thoroughfares.
Observers alert that the election-related unrest could push the country into a governmental instability.
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