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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he provoked "violent election protests".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

Issa Tchiroma asserts that he was the true winner, a claim rejected by the governing party, the CPDM.

Aggressive responses by police and security officers on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the United Nations, AU and EU calling for moderation.

Official's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he described as "illegal" protests leading to the deaths, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He noted that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.

Vote Outcome

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

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had before announced that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he said that security forces shot on demonstrators present near his house in Garoua, killing at least 2 people.

Investigation Launched

Recently, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be initiated into violent incidents prior to and following the publication of the poll figures.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he commented, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the incidents.

The minister noted that a number of officers of the police and military also suffered major harm.

Current Situation

Even though the interior minister maintained the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on that day, and ignited tires on the streets.

Analysts caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a political crisis.