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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he provoked "violent post-election demonstrations".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between police and military and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he was the true winner, a assertion dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.

Forceful measures by security personnel on protesters have concerned the global community, with the UN, African Union and European Union demanding caution.

Official's Claims

On Tuesday, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "unauthorized" demonstrations causing the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators involved in an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

The president, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the October 12 election with over half of the votes, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had before declared that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

When results were announced, he claimed that armed men used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his home in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two individuals.

Inquiry Revealed

On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an investigation would be initiated into unrest before and after the announcement of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he said, without providing a exact count of protesters who have been killed in the incidents.

Nji noted that a number of personnel of the law enforcement also sustained serious injuries.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister insisted the situation across the country was now stable, demonstrators remain active in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted obstructions on that day, and burnt rubber on the roads.

Observers warn that the political turmoil could lead the nation into a political crisis.