Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has stated that opposition leader Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".
A minimum of four demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between police and military and demonstrators since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with the 92-year-old head of state obtaining an eighth term in office.
Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he was the true winner, a statement dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Aggressive responses by police and security officers on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the UN, African Union and European Union urging restraint.
On Tuesday, Nji accused Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he described as "unlawful" demonstrations leading to the loss of lives, and also criticised him for claiming win in the presidential race.
He noted that Tchiroma Bakary's "co-conspirators involved in an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.
Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 election with 53.7% of the votes, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.
Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had earlier announced that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.
When results were announced, he reported that security forces opened fire on protesters gathered near his residence in the city of Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 individuals.
Earlier this week, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be launched into violent incidents before and after the announcement of the election results.
"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved died," he stated, without providing a exact count of demonstrators who have been lost their lives in the incidents.
The minister further mentioned that a number of officers of the security forces also received major harm.
While the interior minister insisted the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in various areas of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt tires on the roads.
Observers caution that the political turmoil could plunge the nation into a governmental instability.
A seasoned gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience in lottery analysis and casino reviews.
