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The nation's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he instigated "violent election protests".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been killed during clashes between law enforcement and protesters since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth presidential mandate.

Issa Tchiroma maintains that he won the election, a claim dismissed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.

Forceful measures by police and security officers on demonstrators have worried the global community, with the United Nations, African Union and EU urging moderation.

Official's Accusations

Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of coordinating what he referred to as "unlawful" demonstrations resulting in the deaths, and also criticised him for claiming win in the electoral contest.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "associates behind an insurrectionary plan" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

The president, who came to power in 1982 and is now the world's oldest head of state, obtained the 12 October presidential election with over half of the votes, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to prosecute him, but he had before stated that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he said that security forces used lethal force on protesters gathered near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 civilians.

Probe Launched

On Tuesday, the interior minister disclosed that an investigation would be started into violent incidents surrounding the publication of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the individuals involved were killed," he commented, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been killed in the clashes.

The minister added that a number of officers of the security forces also received serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

While the interior minister maintained the condition across the country was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted obstructions on that day, and burnt tires on the thoroughfares.

Observers alert that the post-electoral violence could lead the country into a governmental instability.