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The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he instigated "aggressive election protests".

No fewer than 4 protesters have been lost their lives during skirmishes between police and military and demonstrators since the electoral process on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth consecutive term.

The opposition leader insists that he was the true winner, a statement dismissed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, AU and EU demanding moderation.

Minister's Allegations

On Tuesday, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of organising what he labeled "unauthorized" demonstrations resulting in the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

Paul Biya, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, won the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to the constitutional court.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is yet to respond to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had previously stated that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he claimed that security forces opened fire on protesters gathered near his residence in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two individuals.

Inquiry Revealed

Recently, the government official disclosed that an investigation would be started into clashes prior to and following the declaration of the election results.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he stated, without giving a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.

Nji further mentioned that several officers of the law enforcement also sustained significant wounds.

Present Conditions

While the interior minister asserted the situation throughout Cameroon was now manageable, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt tyres on the streets.

Experts warn that the election-related unrest could push the country into a leadership vacuum.