Cameroon opposition leader Bakary faces prosecution over post-election violence
Cameroon’s government says opposition leader, Issa Bakary, will face legal action for allegedly inciting violent demonstrations following the country’s disputed presidential election earlier this month.
Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji announced on Tuesday that Bakary and several of his associates would be prosecuted for organising what he described as “illegal and insurrectionary” protests that resulted in the loss of lives and damage to public property.
“Those responsible for this insurrectionary plan will face the full weight of the law,” Nji declared during a press briefing in Yaoundé.
“No one is above the law, and those who attempted to destabilise the nation will answer for their actions”, he added.
At least four people have been confirmed dead following clashes between security forces and opposition supporters since the October 12 presidential election, which saw 92-year-old President Paul Biya secure an eighth consecutive term in office.
According to official results released by the Constitutional Council, Biya of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) won with 53.7 per cent of the vote, while Tchiroma Bakary finished second with 35.2 per cent.
Bakary has rejected the outcome, insisting that he was the rightful winner of the election, a claim dismissed by the ruling party as “baseless.”
Speaking earlier to the BBC, the opposition leader vowed not to accept what he described as “a stolen vote,” saying he was unafraid of possible arrest.
Bakary also accused security forces of using lethal force against unarmed civilians on election result day, alleging that armed men opened fire on protesters near his residence in Garoua, killing at least two people.
The Interior Minister, however, maintained that security forces acted lawfully in restoring order, adding that “some of the criminals lost their lives during the attacks.” He did not specify the total number of casualties.
Nji said several police and gendarmerie officers sustained serious injuries during the unrest but assured that “the situation nationwide is now under control.”
Despite the government’s assurances, sporadic protests continued on Tuesday in parts of Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators erected roadblocks, set tyres ablaze, and demanded a reversal of the of the election result.
The United Nations, African Union (AU), and European Union (EU) have all expressed concern over the escalating tension and called for restraint from all parties.
In separate statements, the international organisations urged Cameroonian authorities to guarantee citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and ensure that any allegations of electoral malpractice are addressed through transparent and legal channels.
Observers warn that the ongoing unrest could push Cameroon deeper into political instability, compounding the country’s long-standing challenges, including separatist violence in the Anglophone regions and economic stagnation.
