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

No fewer than 4 protesters have been lost their lives during confrontations between security forces and protesters since the electoral process on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a statement disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have concerned the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and EU demanding moderation.

Minister's Allegations

Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he described as "unlawful" protests leading to the loss of lives, and also condemned him for announcing success in the election.

He added that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.

Vote Outcome

Paul Biya, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the October 12 presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Challenger's Position

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had earlier declared that he would not accept a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being detained.

On election result day, he said that security forces opened fire on demonstrators assembled near his house in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 individuals.

Investigation Revealed

On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an investigation would be started into clashes prior to and following the announcement of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals were killed," he said, without giving a exact count of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.

Nji further mentioned that a number of personnel of the police and military also suffered major harm.

Present Conditions

Even though the interior minister insisted the state of affairs across the country was now under control, demonstrators remain active in various areas of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters established obstructions on that day, and set fire to rubber on the thoroughfares.

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