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Cameroon's Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji has announced that political opponent Tchiroma Bakary will be prosecuted over claims that he incited "violent election protests".

A minimum of four protesters have been killed during confrontations between law enforcement and opposition supporters since the presidential election on 12 October, with President Paul Biya, aged 92 winning an eighth presidential mandate.

The opposition leader asserts that he was the true winner, a claim dismissed by Biya's ruling party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM).

Violent crackdowns by law enforcement on demonstrators have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, African Union and European Union demanding moderation.

Official's Claims

Earlier this week, Nji charged the opposition figure of organising what he referred to as "illegal" rallies causing the deaths, and also rebuked him for announcing success in the presidential race.

He further stated that the opposition leader's "co-conspirators responsible for an insurrectionary plan" will also be prosecuted.

Vote Outcome

Cameroon's leader, who took control in the early 80s and is now the world's oldest head of state, secured the 12 October presidential election with over half of the ballots, compared to a significant minority for the challenger, according to Cameroon's Constitutional Council.

Leader's Stance

Tchiroma Bakary is remains silent to the official announcement to prosecute him, but he had earlier stated that he rejected a stolen vote - and that he was fearless of being arrested.

When results were announced, he claimed that gunmen shot on demonstrators present near his home in the city of Garoua, killing at least 2 people.

Inquiry Launched

On Tuesday, the government official disclosed that an probe would be launched into clashes before and after the announcement of the vote outcome.

"In the course of these incidents, some of the criminals were killed," he said, without offering a specific number of demonstrators who have been killed in the clashes.

The minister noted that multiple officers of the law enforcement also suffered major harm.

Current Situation

While the interior minister maintained the situation throughout Cameroon was now under control, protesters are still demonstrating in certain regions of the nation, especially in these two cities, where demonstrators set up obstructions on that day, and ignited rubber on the roads.

Observers caution that the election-related unrest could lead the nation into a leadership vacuum.