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Cameroon's Interior Minister the interior minister has declared that political opponent Issa Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he provoked "aggressive electoral rallies".

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

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

Forceful measures by law enforcement on demonstrators have worried the international community, with the UN, African Union and European Union urging moderation.

Official's Allegations

Earlier this week, Nji charged Tchiroma Bakary of organising what he labeled "unlawful" demonstrations causing the fatalities, and also criticised him for declaring victory in the election.

He added that the opposition leader's "associates responsible for an subversive plot" will also face legal action.

Poll Figures

Cameroon's leader, who assumed office in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, won the October 12 presidential election with 53.7% of the vote, compared to just over a third for Tchiroma Bakary, according to the electoral authority.

Opposition Response

The opposition figure is yet to respond to the authorities' move to bring him to court, but he had earlier stated that he refused to acknowledge a stolen vote - and that he was undaunted of being taken into custody.

Following the vote count, he reported that gunmen used lethal force on protesters assembled near his residence in Garoua, fatally wounding at least two people.

Investigation Announced

On Tuesday, the government official disclosed that an inquiry would be initiated into clashes before and after the publication of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals were killed," he commented, without giving a exact count of protesters who have been fatally injured in the incidents.

Nji added that a number of personnel of the law enforcement also sustained serious injuries.

Present Conditions

Although the interior minister asserted the condition across the country was now under control, demonstrators remain active in some parts of the country, especially in Douala and Garoua, where protesters established barricades on Tuesday, and set fire to tyres on the roads.

Experts caution that the political turmoil could plunge the country into a leadership vacuum.