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Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he instigated "aggressive election protests".

A minimum of four protesters have been fatally wounded during confrontations between security forces and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he was the true winner, a assertion dismissed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Forceful measures by security personnel on protesters have concerned the global community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for moderation.

Official's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji accused the opposition figure of planning what he described as "illegal" protests causing the loss of lives, and also criticised him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He noted that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.

Election Results

The president, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, obtained the 12 October presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had previously stated that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was undaunted of being detained.

Following the vote count, he claimed that security forces opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his house in the city of Garoua, killing at least two civilians.

Inquiry Announced

On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents prior to and following the publication of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he said, without giving a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.

Nji added that multiple personnel of the police and military also suffered serious injuries.

Present Conditions

Even though the interior minister asserted the condition throughout Cameroon was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators established barricades on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the thoroughfares.

Analysts caution that the political turmoil could lead the country into a leadership vacuum.