Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji alleges opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal reprisals over claims he stirred violent post-election demonstrations. The unrest followed the election on October 12, where 92-year-old President Paul Biya was re-elected for a record eighth term.
The unsettling aftermath has seen at least four protesters murdered amidst confrontations between security forces and opposition backers, inciting both anger and concern from the international community. The UN, African Union, and EU have all called for measured responses.
While Bakary claims a victorious margin in the election, this assertion was promptly refuted by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM). On Tuesday, Minister Nji accused Bakary of organizing illegal demonstrations that have led to civilian fatalities.
Despite efforts to control the situation, protesters remain active, particularly in Douala and Garoua, as activists establish roadblocks and ignite tires. Analysts warn that escalating post-election violence risks spiraling into a larger political crisis in Cameroon.
Tchiroma Bakary has yet to officially respond to the charges leveled against him, but he previously vowed not to allow a manipulated vote to go unchallenged, expressing fearlessness regarding potential arrest.
