Cameroon’s opposition leader will stand trial over alleged election irregularities, the government has announced

Cameroon’s Interior Minister Paul Atanga Njie said opposition leader Isa Chiroma Bakari will face trial on charges of inciting “violent post-election demonstrations”.

At least four protesters were killed during clashes between security forces and opposition supporters after Cameroon’s October 12 election, with 92-year-old President Paul Biya winning an eighth consecutive term.

Chiroma Bakari insists he won the election, a claim rejected by Biya’s ruling party, the Cameroon Democratic People’s Movement (CPDM).

Violent police and security crackdowns on protesters have alarmed the international community, with the United Nations, African Union and EU calling for restraint.

On Tuesday, Nji accused Chiroma Bakari of organizing what he said were “illegal” protests that led to loss of life and also criticized him for declaring victory in the election.

He added that “accomplices of Chiroma Bakari responsible for a rebel plan” would also be brought to justice.

Paul Biya, who came to power in 1982 and is now the world’s oldest head of state, won the Oct. 12 election with 53.7 percent of the vote, compared to 35.2 percent for Chiroma Bakari, according to Cameroon’s Constitutional Council.

Chiroma Bakari has yet to respond to the government’s decision to prosecute him, but previously told the BBC that would not accept a stolen vote – and that he is not afraid of arrest.

On election day, he said gunmen opened fire on protesters gathered near his Garoua residence, fatally wounding at least two civilians.

On Tuesday, the Home Secretary revealed that he would launch an investigation into incidents of violence before and after the election results were announced.

“During these attacks, some of the criminals lost their lives,” he said, without giving a specific number of protesters who were killed in the clashes.

Nji added that several members of the security forces also sustained serious injuries.

Although Njie insisted that the situation across the country was now under control, protesters remained active in some parts of the country, particularly in Douala and Garoua, where demonstrators set up roadblocks on Tuesday and burned tires in the streets.

Analysts warn that post-election violence could plunge the country into political crisis.

Additional reporting by Natasha Buti and Michelle Mvondo