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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he instigated "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of four protesters have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between law enforcement and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader asserts that he won the election, a statement rejected by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.

Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for caution.

Minister's Accusations

Earlier this week, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" rallies leading to the loss of lives, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the election.

He added that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the 12 October election with over half of the votes, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had earlier announced that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he said that armed men opened fire on demonstrators present near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.

Inquiry Revealed

Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents before and after the declaration of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved died," he stated, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been killed in the incidents.

The minister further mentioned that multiple officers of the law enforcement also sustained significant wounds.

Current Situation

Even though the interior minister maintained the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators established roadblocks on that day, and burnt tires on the thoroughfares.

Experts warn that the post-electoral violence could plunge the nation into a leadership vacuum.