Cameroon’s electoral body excludes Kamto, paves way for Biya
Cameroon’s electoral authorities have excluded Maurice Kamto, President Paul Biya’s primary challenger from the upcoming presidential race igniting fears of protests and increasing the likelihood of another victory for the long-standing incumbent.
During a news conference on Saturday, ELECAM, the electoral commission announced the list of 13 approved candidates which notably did not include Kamto. The commission did not provide specific reasons for his disqualification. Kamto, 71 had officially submitted his candidacy last week and was widely regarded as Biya’s strongest opposition in previous elections. In the 2018 presidential vote, Kamto finished second with 14 percent of the vote while Biya secured a decisive victory with over 70 percent amid allegations of electoral fraud and low voter turnout.
Kamto sought to run under the banner of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) after previously contesting the 2018 election as the candidate of his own party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) established in 2012. This year, his candidacy was submitted through MANIDEM.
The announcement of the disqualification has sparked tensions with fears that it may trigger protests. Security measures have been heightened with forces deployed around ELECAM headquarters and along major roads in Yaoundé and Douala, Cameroon’s economic center. The United Nations Department of Safety and Security issued a warning on Friday cautioning that the announcement could lead to unrest in the capital.
The final list of presidential candidates is expected to be confirmed in the coming days after any appeals or challenges to the provisional list are addressed. A total of 83 candidates had initially been nominated for consideration.
President Paul Biya, aged 92, the world’s oldest serving head of state confirmed last month his intention to seek re-election on October 12 despite persistent rumors about his declining health. Having ruled Cameroon since 1982, Biya’s decades-long tenure has profoundly shaped the nation’s political landscape. His administration has faced numerous challenges including corruption allegations and a deadly secessionist conflict in English-speaking regions which has displaced thousands and disrupted education.
Among those approved to run alongside Biya are former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, a close ally for nearly three decades and Issa Tchiroma Bakary who resigned as employment minister in June to submit his candidacy. The upcoming election remains a critical event in Cameroon’s political trajectory amid ongoing tensions and uncertainties.
