🔗 Share this article Cameroon Political Opposition Leader to Face Legal Action Over Electoral Turmoil, Authorities Says Numerous in Cameroon are furious that Paul Biya has secured an eighth term The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies". At least four protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the electoral process on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth term in office. Issa Tchiroma insists that he was the true winner, a claim rejected by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM. Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the global community, with the UN, AU and EU demanding restraint. Minister's Claims On Tuesday, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he referred to as "unlawful" demonstrations causing the fatalities, and also criticised him for announcing success in the election. He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an subversive plot" will also be prosecuted. Poll Figures Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the October 12 presidential election with over half of the vote, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council. Challenger's Position The opposition figure is yet to respond to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had before announced that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody. On election result day, he said that security forces opened fire on demonstrators present near his residence in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two civilians. Probe Launched On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an inquiry would be started into violent incidents prior to and following the publication of the election results. "Throughout the violence, some of the criminals died," he commented, without giving a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes. The minister added that a number of personnel of the security forces also sustained major harm. Ongoing Circumstances Although the interior minister insisted the situation nationwide was now manageable, protesters continue to protest in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators established obstructions on Tuesday, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares. Observers alert that the political turmoil could push the country into a leadership vacuum.