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Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "violent election protests".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between security forces and demonstrators since the electoral process on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he emerged victorious, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union urging restraint.

Official's Allegations

Earlier this week, Nji accused the opposition figure of planning what he referred to as "unlawful" rallies resulting in the deaths, 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 be prosecuted.

Election Results

Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the October 12 election with over half of the votes, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had before declared that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being detained.

On election result day, he claimed that gunmen opened fire on protesters present near his home in Garoua, killing at least 2 people.

Inquiry Announced

Recently, the government official disclosed that an probe would be initiated into clashes prior to and following the announcement of the vote outcome.

"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.

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

Present Conditions

Even though Nji maintained the state of affairs nationwide was now under control, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators established obstructions on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the streets.

Observers alert that the post-electoral violence could push the nation into a leadership vacuum.