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Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he incited "violent election protests".

A minimum of 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between security forces and protesters since the electoral process on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth term in office.

Tchiroma Bakary insists that he won the election, a statement disputed by the governing party, the ruling CPDM.

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

Official's Claims

Earlier this week, the interior minister alleged Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he referred to as "unlawful" rallies causing the fatalities, and also criticised him for announcing success in the election.

He noted that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators behind an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

The president, who assumed office in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the ballots, compared to just over a third for his opponent, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to try him, but he had earlier stated that he rejected a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he said that gunmen opened fire on demonstrators present near his residence in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 civilians.

Investigation Revealed

Earlier this week, the government official revealed that an inquiry would be started into clashes prior to and following the declaration of the election results.

"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved died," he stated, without offering a exact count of demonstrators who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.

Nji further mentioned that multiple officers of the security forces also sustained major harm.

Current Situation

While Nji insisted the state of affairs across the country was now stable, demonstrators remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where protesters mounted roadblocks on that day, and burnt tires on the streets.

Observers caution that the election-related unrest could push the nation into a political crisis.