In a move criticized by many, Cameroon’s foremost opposition figure Maurice Kamto has been left off the ballot for the upcoming presidential elections, with incumbent leader Paul Biya seeking an unprecedented eighth term despite his advanced age and lengthy tenure.
Cameroon’s Electoral Turmoil: Opposition Leader Barred from Elections
Cameroon’s Electoral Turmoil: Opposition Leader Barred from Elections
Maurice Kamto's exclusion raises concerns over electoral fairness in Cameroon.
In a significant development ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for October 12, Cameroon’s opposition leader Maurice Kamto has been notably excluded from the list of candidates. Out of a total of 83 submitted names, only 13 were accepted by the country’s electoral authority, Elecam. This decision comes as a blow to Kamto, who was the principal challenger to President Paul Biya during the last election in 2018, where he finished second amidst allegations of electoral fraud. As of now, Kamto has yet to issue a public statement regarding his exclusion.
President Paul Biya, who at 92 is recognized as the world’s oldest serving president, remains a contentious figure in Cameroonian politics, having held power for over 43 years. He dismisses calls for resignation, asserting that he still has much to contribute to the nation. Biya’s main challengers in this election will include former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, both hailing from Cameroon’s politically significant northern region.
Kamto’s disqualification stems from complications surrounding his party affiliation. He was one of two candidates registered to represent the Manidem party. Despite receiving prior endorsement from the party’s leadership, a rival candidate from a breakaway faction also registered under the same party name. Anicet Ekane, president of Manidem, condemned Kamto's exclusion as “arbitrary and provocative,” urging citizens to remain calm while vowing to challenge the decision in the Constitutional Council.
Candidates removed from consideration have a two-day window to contest their disqualification. While Kamto was the flagbearer for the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) in the past elections, this time around, the party was barred from endorsing candidates due to its absence of elected members in the parliament. Consequently, Kamto aligned himself with the Manidem party, which maintains local representation.
Among the candidates cleared to contest are notable figures such as anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Social Democratic Front (SDF) leader Joshua Osih, and lawmaker Cabral Libii. Prominently, Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the dynamic mayor of Foumban, stands as the sole female candidate on the approved list. The unfolding electoral saga continues to raise questions about the integrity of the political process in Cameroon, prompting calls for scrutiny from citizens and observers alike.
President Paul Biya, who at 92 is recognized as the world’s oldest serving president, remains a contentious figure in Cameroonian politics, having held power for over 43 years. He dismisses calls for resignation, asserting that he still has much to contribute to the nation. Biya’s main challengers in this election will include former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, both hailing from Cameroon’s politically significant northern region.
Kamto’s disqualification stems from complications surrounding his party affiliation. He was one of two candidates registered to represent the Manidem party. Despite receiving prior endorsement from the party’s leadership, a rival candidate from a breakaway faction also registered under the same party name. Anicet Ekane, president of Manidem, condemned Kamto's exclusion as “arbitrary and provocative,” urging citizens to remain calm while vowing to challenge the decision in the Constitutional Council.
Candidates removed from consideration have a two-day window to contest their disqualification. While Kamto was the flagbearer for the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) in the past elections, this time around, the party was barred from endorsing candidates due to its absence of elected members in the parliament. Consequently, Kamto aligned himself with the Manidem party, which maintains local representation.
Among the candidates cleared to contest are notable figures such as anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Social Democratic Front (SDF) leader Joshua Osih, and lawmaker Cabral Libii. Prominently, Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the dynamic mayor of Foumban, stands as the sole female candidate on the approved list. The unfolding electoral saga continues to raise questions about the integrity of the political process in Cameroon, prompting calls for scrutiny from citizens and observers alike.
