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The nation's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he instigated "violent 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 President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

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

Forceful measures by security personnel on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the UN, African Union and EU calling for restraint.

Minister's Allegations

Recently, the interior minister accused the opposition figure of coordinating what he labeled "unauthorized" protests resulting in the loss of lives, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the electoral contest.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators behind an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

The president, who came to power in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, secured the 12 October vote with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is yet to respond to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had before announced that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he said that gunmen shot on protesters gathered near his house in the city of Garoua, killing at least two people.

Inquiry Announced

Recently, the government official announced that an probe would be initiated into violent incidents before and after the publication of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the perpetrators lost their lives," he commented, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

The minister noted that several officers of the police and military also sustained significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Although Nji asserted the situation across the country was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in urban centers, where protesters mounted obstructions on Tuesday, and burnt tires on the thoroughfares.

Observers caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a governmental instability.