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Cameroon Bars Main Opposition Leader Maurice Kamto From Presidential Election

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa | July 27, 2025 YAOUNDÉ, Cameroon – Tensions are rising in Cameroon after the country’s electoral commission disqualified opposition leader Maurice Kamto from contesting the upcoming presidential election, a move that many fear could spark unrest and further entrench President Paul Biya’s decades-long rule. The decision, announced Saturday by the head of the Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) during a press conference in Yaoundé, confirmed a list of 13 approved candidates, notably excluding Kamto—widely seen as Biya’s strongest challenger. No official reason was provided for his disqualification. Candidates who were not approved have two days to appeal the ruling. Kamto, 71, submitted his candidacy last week under the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) after previously running in 2018 with his own party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC). He finished second in that vote with 14 percent, while Biya, now 92, claimed a landslide win in a poll widely criticized for irregularities and low turnout. The exclusion of Kamto has sparked concerns of protests and political instability. Security forces were quickly deployed around ELECAM headquarters, major intersections in Yaoundé, and the commercial capital Douala, in anticipation of public outcry. On Friday, the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) had issued a warning about possible demonstrations following the candidate list announcement. President Biya—Africa’s oldest serving leader—confirmed last month that he would seek an eighth term in office during the October 12 election, despite ongoing concerns over his health and growing public dissatisfaction. Cameroon has faced mounting crises under Biya’s rule, including widespread corruption, economic stagnation, and a violent separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions that has displaced tens of thousands and left a generation of children without access to education. Among the candidates approved by ELECAM are former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, a long-time Biya ally, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who resigned from his post as Minister of Employment in June to pursue the presidency. The final candidate list will be confirmed in the coming days following any appeals.

Cameroon’s 92-Year-Old President Paul Biya Declares Bid for Eighth Term

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, the world’s oldest serving head of state at 92, has officially announced his candidacy for an eighth presidential term in the upcoming election scheduled for October 12, 2025. Biya made the declaration on Sunday via posts on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, writing in both French and English: “I am a candidate in the presidential election. Rest assured that my determination to serve you matches the urgency of the challenges we face.” If re-elected, Biya could remain in power until nearly 100, extending a tenure that began in 1982 following the resignation of Cameroon’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo. His announcement, while widely anticipated, ends months of speculation—particularly amid concerns about his health, which has drawn attention after multiple unexplained absences, including a 42-day disappearance from public view last year. The ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) had repeatedly urged him to run again, but opposition leaders and civil society groups are calling the move a blow to democracy. “After over 40 years in power, what the country needs is renewal – not repetition,” said Nkongho Felix Agbor, a prominent human rights lawyer. “Cameroonians deserve democratic change and accountable leadership.” Critics argue Biya’s long rule has stifled democratic development and institutional transparency in the Central African nation. He scrapped term limits in 2008, enabling him to seek re-election indefinitely. In 2018, Biya won re-election with 71.28% of the vote amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. The political opposition remains fragmented, though key figures have declared their intention to run, including: Cameroon continues to face significant national challenges, including: Observers warn that if Biya becomes too ill or dies while in office, Cameroon could face a destabilizing succession crisis, given the lack of a clear and credible transition plan. As Biya seeks to extend his already 43-year-long rule, questions over legitimacy, leadership capacity, and the democratic future of Cameroon loom large over the 2025 presidential race.