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Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he incited "aggressive electoral rallies".

No fewer than 4 protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on October 12, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya securing an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader asserts that he was the true winner, a claim disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by police and security officers on demonstrators have alarmed the world leaders, with the United Nations, AU and European Union demanding restraint.

Minister's Accusations

On Tuesday, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he labeled "unauthorized" demonstrations resulting in the deaths, and also criticised him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators involved in an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.

Vote Outcome

Paul Biya, who took control in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, secured the 12 October election with over half of the vote, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had before declared that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being detained.

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

Investigation Announced

Recently, the government official revealed that an investigation would be initiated into unrest prior to and following the announcement of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the perpetrators died," he stated, without offering a specific number of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.

Nji added that a number of officers of the police and military also sustained significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister asserted the situation throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators continue to protest in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters set up barricades on that day, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.

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