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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he incited "violent electoral rallies".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the presidential election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a statement dismissed by the incumbent party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by police and security officers on demonstrators have alarmed the global community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union urging caution.

Minister's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji accused the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unlawful" demonstrations causing the loss of lives, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the presidential race.

He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates involved in an rebellious scheme" will also be prosecuted.

Vote Outcome

The president, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 presidential election with over half of the votes, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is yet to respond to the government's decision to bring him to court, but he had earlier stated that he would not accept a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

On election result day, he said that armed men used lethal force on protesters gathered near his house in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two people.

Inquiry Announced

Recently, the government official announced that an investigation would be started into unrest before and after the declaration of the poll figures.

"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved lost their lives," he said, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.

Nji noted that a number of members of the police and military also sustained serious injuries.

Current Situation

Even though Nji maintained the situation nationwide was now manageable, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators established roadblocks on that day, and ignited tires on the thoroughfares.

Observers warn that the political turmoil could push the nation into a leadership vacuum.