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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "aggressive election protests".

At least 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during clashes between security forces and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth term in office.

Issa Tchiroma maintains that he won the election, a claim dismissed by the governing party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on protesters have worried the global community, with the UN, AU and EU urging restraint.

Minister's Claims

On Tuesday, the interior minister charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" rallies causing the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the election.

He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators responsible for an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

Paul Biya, who took control in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, won the 12 October election with over half of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Challenger's Position

Issa Tchiroma is has not yet commented to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had previously declared that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being detained.

Following the vote count, he claimed that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators assembled near his house in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 people.

Inquiry Revealed

On Tuesday, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be launched into clashes before and after the announcement of the poll figures.

"During these attacks, some of the criminals died," he stated, without offering a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.

Nji added that a number of personnel of the police and military also sustained major harm.

Ongoing Circumstances

While Nji insisted the condition across the country was now manageable, demonstrators continue to protest in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators set up barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the thoroughfares.

Observers caution that the political turmoil could push the country into a leadership vacuum.