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The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over allegations that he instigated "violent post-election demonstrations".

At least 4 demonstrators have been fatally wounded during skirmishes between law enforcement and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on October 12, with the 92-year-old head of state winning an eighth presidential mandate.

Tchiroma Bakary asserts that he won the election, a statement disputed by Biya's ruling party, the ruling CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the UN, AU and European Union calling for restraint.

Minister's Allegations

Recently, Nji alleged the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "unauthorized" rallies resulting in the fatalities, and also condemned him for claiming win in the presidential race.

He noted that the opposition leader's "associates behind an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October presidential election with 53.7% of the ballots, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Challenger's Position

Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had previously stated that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.

On election result day, he said that gunmen used lethal force on protesters assembled near his home in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 people.

Inquiry Announced

Recently, the government official announced that an investigation would be launched into clashes before and after the declaration of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the individuals involved were killed," he commented, without offering a precise figure of protesters who have been fatally injured in the confrontations.

The minister added that several personnel of the law enforcement also received serious injuries.

Present Conditions

While Nji asserted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now under control, protesters remain active in various areas of the country, especially in urban centers, where demonstrators mounted barricades on Tuesday, and ignited rubber on the roads.

Analysts alert that the post-electoral violence could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.