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The nation's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will undergo legal proceedings over allegations that he incited "violent election protests".

No fewer than four demonstrators have been lost their lives during confrontations between police and military and protesters since the electoral process on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 securing an eighth presidential mandate.

Issa Tchiroma asserts that he emerged victorious, a assertion rejected by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Violent crackdowns by security personnel on protesters have worried the world leaders, with the UN, AU and EU demanding restraint.

Minister's Allegations

Earlier this week, the interior minister accused Tchiroma Bakary of planning what he labeled "unlawful" demonstrations causing the loss of lives, and also condemned him for declaring victory in the election.

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

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who came to power in the early 80s and is now the oldest serving president, won the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the votes, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the constitutional court.

Challenger's Position

Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the government's decision to try him, but he had before declared that he would not accept a rigged election - and that he was undaunted of being detained.

On election result day, he said that armed men used lethal force on demonstrators assembled near his residence in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 people.

Probe Launched

Recently, the interior minister revealed that an probe would be initiated into clashes before and after the announcement of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals died," he stated, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been lost their lives in the clashes.

The minister noted that a number of personnel of the security forces also received serious injuries.

Current Situation

Although the interior minister insisted the state of affairs across the country was now manageable, demonstrators remain active in certain regions of the nation, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters mounted obstructions on that day, and set fire to tyres on the roads.

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