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Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he instigated "violent post-election demonstrations".

At least 4 demonstrators have been lost their lives during confrontations between police and military and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a claim disputed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Aggressive responses by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the UN, African Union and European Union urging restraint.

Minister's Allegations

On Tuesday, Nji charged the opposition figure of organising what he labeled "unlawful" rallies resulting in the fatalities, and also rebuked him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He added that the opposition leader's "associates involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

The opposition figure is yet to respond to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had before announced that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he claimed that security forces used lethal force on demonstrators gathered near his home in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 individuals.

Inquiry Revealed

Earlier this week, the interior minister disclosed that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents prior to and following the announcement of the vote outcome.

"During these attacks, some of the criminals lost their lives," he stated, without offering a exact count of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

Nji noted that a number of personnel of the security forces also received significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Although Nji maintained the situation across the country was now under control, protesters remain active in some parts of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established barricades on that day, and set fire to tyres on the streets.

Analysts warn that the political turmoil could push the nation into a leadership vacuum.