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The nation's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he incited "violent election protests".

A minimum of 4 protesters have been fatally wounded during confrontations between security forces and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state securing an eighth term in office.

Issa Tchiroma insists that he emerged victorious, a claim disputed by the incumbent party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Aggressive responses by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the international community, with the UN, African Union and EU urging caution.

Minister's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he referred to as "unlawful" protests causing the loss of lives, and also condemned him for declaring victory in the presidential race.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates behind an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the October 12 presidential election with a majority of the vote, compared to a significant minority for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Challenger's Position

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the government's decision to try him, but he had before announced that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being detained.

Following the vote count, he claimed that armed men used lethal force on protesters assembled near his house in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two civilians.

Probe Announced

On Tuesday, the interior minister revealed that an investigation would be launched into clashes prior to and following the publication of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved were killed," he stated, without offering a specific number of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

The minister noted that a number of members of the law enforcement also suffered major harm.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though the interior minister insisted the situation throughout Cameroon was now under control, protesters remain active in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where protesters mounted barricades on Tuesday, and ignited tyres on the thoroughfares.

Observers alert that the election-related unrest could plunge the nation into a leadership vacuum.