Maurice Kamto, the key challenger in Cameroon’s previous elections, has been barred from participating in the upcoming presidential election, leaving President Paul Biya, who has led for 43 years, to face only a few challengers.
Maurice Kamto Excluded from Presidential Race Against Paul Biya in Cameroon
Maurice Kamto Excluded from Presidential Race Against Paul Biya in Cameroon
The opposition leader's absence raises concerns over electoral fairness as Biya, Africa's longest-serving president, seeks another term.
Cameroon's opposition leader Maurice Kamto has been barred from running in the upcoming presidential elections set for October 12. The exclusion has raised alarms over the impartiality of the electoral process, as only 13 candidates were approved out of 83 submissions to the electoral body, Elecam. Kamto had previously secured second place in the 2018 elections under allegations of electoral fraud and has not yet made any public statement regarding his disqualification.
President Paul Biya, the world's oldest sitting president at the age of 92, remains a significant figure in Cameroon’s political landscape, pursuing his eighth term with assertions of continued relevance despite nearly 43 years in power. His main competition will come from former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, who hail from the vote-rich northern regions.
Kamto's exclusion stemmed from an internal party conflict within the Manidem party, where he was one of two candidates representing the party. Anicet Ekane, president of Manidem, condemned the decision as "arbitrary and provocative," urging citizens to remain calm while signaling the move is likely just a temporary setback. Disqualified candidates have a two-day window to lodge legal appeals.
Having switched to the Manidem party after his previous group, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), was barred from endorsing candidates due to a lack of parliamentary representatives, Kamto's political future appears bleak without direct recourse to the electoral arena this season. Other politicians cleared to compete include anti-corruption attorney Akere Muna, Social Democratic Front (SDF) head Joshua Osih, and legislator Cabral Libii. Notably, Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya stands out as the only female candidate on the approved list.
As the election draws near, many questions arise concerning the integrity of Cameroon’s democratic processes under a long-standing leadership with a reportedly declining public appeal.
