Cameroon’s interior minister has accused Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the main rival of the world’s oldest president, of fueling post-election violence
Cameroon’s government has said it will pursue legal action against opposition figure Issa Tchiroma Bakary for allegedly inciting unrest following the reelection of the Central African country’s longtime leader, Paul Biya.
On Monday, Biya, 92, was declared the winner of the October 12 presidential election with 53.66% of the vote, compared with 35.19% for Tchiroma. Tchiroma rejected the result as “fictitious” and vowed to resist until the “final victory” over his rival. He had earlier declared himself the winner.
At least 23 people have been killed and several others injured as opposition supporters clashed with security forces during protests denouncing alleged vote-rigging, according to local civil society group Stand Up for Cameroon. More than 500 protesters were arrested between October 26 and 28 and are being held in “inhumane” conditions, the group said in a statement on Wednesday.
Cameroonian Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji accused Tchiroma of fueling violence by prematurely declaring victory and urging supporters onto the streets.
“This irresponsible candidate, driven by the desire to push through the plot to disrupt public order, issued repeated calls on social media inciting civil unrest,” Nji said in a statement on Tuesday. He claimed that small groups “under the influence of drugs” had looted shops and set fire to public buildings.
The minister also vowed to enforce the law against Tchiroma’s “accomplices responsible for an insurrectionary plan.”
The authorities have reportedly detained opposition activists and supporters of Tchiroma in Douala, the economic capital of the former French colony, where protests erupted even before the Constitutional Council confirmed the results.
The UN, African Union, and EU have called for restraint, while France urged that “democracy, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law be scrupulously respected.”
Biya has ruled since 1982, making him the world’s oldest leader and Africa’s second longest-serving head of state. He is the second man to lead Cameroon since it gained independence from France in 1960. He removed presidential term limits in 2008, paving the way for his continued rule. Biya’s latest contested victory grants him an eighth term and will keep him in office until he is nearly 100.
