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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he incited "violent electoral rallies".

At least four demonstrators have been lost their lives during clashes between security forces and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya obtaining an eighth consecutive term.

Tchiroma Bakary maintains that he won the election, a assertion disputed by the governing party, the CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, AU and European Union calling for caution.

Minister's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji alleged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" demonstrations resulting in the fatalities, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the election.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "associates behind an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Election Results

The president, who took control in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is remains silent to the government's decision to prosecute him, but he had earlier announced that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he said that gunmen used lethal force on demonstrators gathered near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 individuals.

Inquiry Revealed

On Tuesday, the interior minister announced that an probe would be initiated into clashes prior to and following the publication of the vote outcome.

"Throughout the violence, some of the criminals were killed," he said, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the incidents.

The minister noted that a number of personnel of the law enforcement also received significant wounds.

Present Conditions

Even though the interior minister maintained the condition throughout Cameroon was now manageable, protesters are still demonstrating in some parts of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters established roadblocks on that day, and ignited tyres on the streets.

Observers alert that the election-related unrest could lead the country into a governmental instability.