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Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he provoked "violent electoral rallies".

A minimum of four demonstrators have been killed during clashes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the presidential election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he emerged victorious, a claim dismissed by the governing party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have worried the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union urging restraint.

Official's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "unauthorized" rallies resulting in the loss of lives, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He added that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the official announcement to bring him to court, but he had earlier declared that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

When results were announced, he claimed that security forces used lethal force on protesters assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 individuals.

Inquiry Announced

On Tuesday, the interior minister announced that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents before and after the publication of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals were killed," he said, without offering a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.

Nji further mentioned that several members of the police and military also suffered significant wounds.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though Nji asserted the condition nationwide was now under control, protesters continue to protest in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up barricades on Tuesday, and ignited tires on the thoroughfares.

Experts caution that the political turmoil could lead the nation into a political crisis.