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Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has declared that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over claims that he provoked "aggressive post-election demonstrations".

No fewer than four protesters have been lost their lives during clashes between security forces and demonstrators since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth consecutive term.

The opposition leader maintains that he was the true winner, a assertion dismissed by the incumbent party, the ruling CPDM.

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the world leaders, with the UN, African Union and European Union urging moderation.

Official's Accusations

On Tuesday, the interior minister charged the opposition figure of coordinating what he referred to as "illegal" protests leading to the fatalities, and also rebuked him for declaring victory in the election.

He further stated that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices responsible for an subversive plot" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

The president, who took control in 1982 and is now the most elderly national leader, obtained the October 12 vote with a majority of the votes, compared to just over a third for the challenger, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

Tchiroma Bakary is has not yet commented to the government's decision to try him, but he had before announced that he rejected a fraudulent outcome - and that he was undaunted of being arrested.

When results were announced, he claimed that armed men opened fire on protesters gathered near his home in Garoua, causing the death of at least 2 civilians.

Inquiry Announced

Recently, the interior minister disclosed that an probe would be initiated into clashes prior to and following the publication of the poll figures.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals lost their lives," he said, without providing a exact count of protesters who have been fatally injured in the clashes.

Nji noted that a number of members of the police and military also sustained serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though Nji insisted the state of affairs throughout Cameroon was now stable, demonstrators continue to protest in certain regions of the country, especially in urban centers, where protesters mounted barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to tires on the thoroughfares.

Observers alert that the political turmoil could push the country into a political crisis.