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The nation's Minister of the Interior the interior minister has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over accusations that he provoked "aggressive electoral rallies".

At least four demonstrators have been lost their lives during skirmishes between police and military and opposition supporters since the presidential election on October 12, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 obtaining an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader maintains that he won the election, a statement disputed by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Forceful measures by security personnel on protesters have alarmed the international community, with the UN, African Union and EU demanding restraint.

Minister's Claims

On Tuesday, Nji charged the opposition figure of coordinating what he labeled "illegal" rallies resulting in the loss of lives, and also condemned him for announcing success in the election.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "accomplices involved in an rebellious scheme" will also undergo judicial processes.

Poll Figures

Paul Biya, who took control in 1982 and is now the oldest serving president, secured the 12 October presidential election with a majority of the votes, compared to 35.2% for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Opposition Response

Issa Tchiroma is yet to respond to the authorities' move to try him, but he had previously declared that he refused to acknowledge a rigged election - and that he was not afraid of being arrested.

Following the vote count, he claimed that armed men used lethal force on protesters present near his home in the city of Garoua, fatally wounding at least two people.

Probe Announced

Recently, the government official announced that an investigation would be started into clashes surrounding the publication of the vote outcome.

"During these attacks, some of the individuals involved were killed," he said, without offering a precise figure of demonstrators who have been killed in the confrontations.

The minister added that a number of members of the security forces also received serious injuries.

Ongoing Circumstances

Even though the interior minister maintained the state of affairs nationwide was now stable, demonstrators are still demonstrating in some parts of the country, especially in these two cities, where protesters established roadblocks on Tuesday, and burnt rubber on the thoroughfares.

Observers warn that the post-electoral violence could push the country into a political crisis.