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Cameroon's Minister of the Interior Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will face legal action over allegations that he provoked "aggressive election protests".

At least four demonstrators have been killed during confrontations between police and military and opposition supporters since Cameroon's election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth term in office.

The opposition leader maintains that he emerged victorious, a claim rejected by Biya's ruling party, the CPDM.

Aggressive responses by police and security officers on protesters have concerned the international community, with the UN, AU and European Union urging restraint.

Official's Accusations

On Tuesday, Nji alleged the opposition figure of planning what he labeled "illegal" rallies causing the deaths, and also condemned him for announcing success in the electoral contest.

He added that Tchiroma Bakary's "accomplices responsible for an insurrectionary plan" will also undergo judicial processes.

Election Results

The president, who came to power in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, secured the October 12 election with over half of the votes, compared to 35.2% for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Challenger's Position

The opposition figure is has not yet commented to the authorities' move to try him, but he had previously stated that he refused to acknowledge a fraudulent outcome - and that he was fearless of being taken into custody.

When results were announced, he reported that armed men opened fire on demonstrators gathered near his residence in Garoua, fatally wounding at least 2 people.

Probe Revealed

Earlier this week, the government official announced that an investigation would be started into clashes prior to and following the announcement of the election results.

"Throughout the violence, some of the perpetrators were killed," he commented, without offering a specific number of protesters who have been lost their lives in the confrontations.

Nji added that multiple members of the police and military also sustained serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

While the interior minister insisted the condition across the country was now under control, demonstrators are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in urban centers, where protesters mounted barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to rubber on the streets.

Analysts caution that the post-electoral violence could lead the nation into a leadership vacuum.