Cameroon Opposition Leader Confronts Court Action Over Election Unrest, Government Announces

Election Protest in Cameroon
Many in Cameroon express anger over the fact that the president has secured an eighth presidential term

Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over claims that he incited "aggressive election protests".

At least 4 demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he won the election, a assertion dismissed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.

Forceful measures by security personnel on demonstrators have concerned the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and European Union demanding caution.

Minister's Accusations

Recently, the interior minister accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "illegal" protests leading to the deaths, and also criticised him for announcing success in the presidential race.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices involved in an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Vote Outcome

The president, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the 12 October vote with over half of the votes, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Challenger's Position

Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the government's decision to try him, but he had before stated that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being detained.

When results were announced, he said that gunmen used lethal force on protesters gathered near his house in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least two people.

Investigation Revealed

Recently, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be started into unrest before and after the publication of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he said, without giving a specific number of protesters who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.

The minister added that several personnel of the security forces also suffered significant wounds.

Current Situation

While Nji maintained the condition nationwide was now under control, protesters remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where protesters set up roadblocks on that day, and ignited rubber on the roads.

Analysts alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a governmental instability.

Jamie Roberts
Jamie Roberts

Maya Chen is a network security specialist with over 10 years of experience in IT infrastructure and digital transformation projects.