Yaoundé, Cameroon – July 28,2025
Cameroon’s main opposition leader, Maurice Kamto, has been formally excluded from the list of approved candidates for the upcoming presidential election on October 12, a decision that has ignited fears of widespread unrest and virtually guarantees another victory for the long-serving incumbent, President Paul Biya.
The electoral commission, ELECAM, announced on Saturday, July 26, that it had approved only 13 of the 83 submitted presidential candidacies, conspicuously omitting Kamto. While no specific reason was given by ELECAM at the time of the announcement, reports indicate that his disqualification stems from an internal dispute within the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) party, under which Kamto had sought to run. Despite the party’s leadership officially endorsing Kamto, another candidate reportedly registered under the same party’s name.
Kamto, a 71-year-old former government minister and academic, was considered President Biya’s strongest challenger. He notably came in second during the last presidential election in 2018, securing 14% of the vote in an election marred by irregularities and low turnout, while Biya claimed over 70%.
A Path Cleared for Biya’s Eighth Term
President Paul Biya, at 92, currently the world’s oldest serving head of state, confirmed last month that he would seek re-election for an eighth consecutive term. His inclusion on the approved list, coupled with Kamto’s exclusion, is widely seen as clearing the path for his continued rule, which began in 1982. Critics argue that the move further entrenches a politicised judiciary and electoral system designed to ensure Biya’s unbroken tenure.
The decision has sparked outrage among Kamto’s supporters and allies, who decried it as a “political manoeuvre” designed to eliminate a significant rival. Anicet Ekane, president of the MANIDEM party, described Kamto’s exclusion as “arbitrary and provocative.” Kamto has two days to appeal the electoral commission’s decision, though his chances of success are widely considered slim given past precedents and the perceived lack of judicial independence.
Heightened Risk of Protests and Violence
Fears of protests and widespread unrest surged around the Saturday release of the list of approved candidates. Security forces were visibly deployed around the ELECAM headquarters and along major roads in Yaoundé, the capital, and in Douala, the economic hub, anticipating public dissent. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security had reportedly warned on Friday that the announcement could trigger protests.
Should Kamto’s appeal fail, his effective removal as an electoral threat is expected to significantly heighten the risk of large-scale public demonstrations. These protests would likely be met with heavy-handed security responses, including arrests, clashes, and potentially fatalities, further fuelling unrest ahead of the October elections.
Biya’s four-decade rule has been marked by various challenges, including allegations of widespread corruption and a deadly secessionist conflict in the nation’s English-speaking provinces, which has displaced thousands and disrupted education. His determination to seek another term, despite calls for him to step down and rumours about his health, underscores the deep-seated political tensions and concerns about democratic integrity in Cameroon.
