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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over accusations that he incited "violent electoral rallies".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been killed during clashes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he was the true winner, a assertion rejected by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

Aggressive responses by law enforcement on demonstrators have concerned the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union urging caution.

Minister's Claims

On Tuesday, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "unlawful" protests causing the loss of lives, and also condemned him for announcing success in the presidential race.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also face legal action.

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who took control in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the 12 October election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the government's decision to try him, but he had previously stated that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he reported that armed men used lethal force on protesters assembled near his house in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least two civilians.

Inquiry Launched

Recently, the government official announced that an investigation would be started into clashes before and after the declaration of the election results.

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

Nji added that several personnel of the law enforcement also sustained serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though Nji insisted the condition nationwide was now manageable, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators established obstructions on that day, and ignited rubber on the streets.

Observers alert that the political turmoil could plunge the nation into a leadership vacuum.