DOUALA, Cameroon — Tensions flared in Cameroon this week after opposition leader and presidential hopeful Maurice Kamto was reportedly confined to an apartment in Douala for over 48 hours, raising fresh concerns about political repression ahead of the country’s highly anticipated presidential election later this year.
The 71-year-old leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) had just returned from France, where he held a rousing political rally that drew thousands of Cameroonian expatriates and stirred anxiety within the ruling elite. Upon arrival in Douala, security forces surrounded the residential building he was staying in, effectively preventing him from attending a scheduled party meeting.
Kamto’s team described the action as an “unprovoked restriction of movement,” claiming it is part of a broader attempt to suppress opposition momentum. “As I speak, I’m still sequestered,” Kamto said in a video shared with supporters on Sunday evening. “Go home in calm and dignity,” he urged the crowd that had gathered peacefully outside.
According to local sources, police blocked access to the CRM’s party offices, where Kamto had intended to meet with party leaders and grassroots supporters. Officers on the ground confirmed they had received orders to restrict movement in the area, while media crews were barred from filming.
Authorities have yet to offer an official explanation, though Labour Minister Grégoire Owona indirectly criticized Kamto in a Facebook post, calling his recent comments in Paris “pathetic.”
‘No Time for Hatred, Only for Building’
During his May 31 rally in Paris’ iconic Place de la République, Kamto sought to allay fears of political retribution if elected. In a direct message to supporters and the Biya regime, Kamto pledged, “When you do me the honour of entrusting me with the reins, you can be sure that nothing will happen to Mr. Biya and his family. Nothing. I guarantee it.”
“I have no time for hatred. I only have time to build Cameroon with you,” he continued to rapturous applause from the crowd.
These remarks, seemingly intended to signal a peaceful transition of power, were met with derision by some within the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM). Minister Owona questioned the very premise: “What protection do they need? Which family are we talking about? Cameroon is not in danger.”
A Legacy of Repression
This is not Kamto’s first encounter with state-imposed restrictions. Following the 2018 presidential election—which he claims was marred by irregularities—Kamto was arrested and jailed for nine months, accused of inciting insurrection after protests erupted. Though eventually released, his arrest drew international condemnation, with rights groups citing it as emblematic of the government’s harsh stance against dissent.
His latest confinement has once again reignited concerns over political freedoms in the Central African nation, where President Paul Biya has held power for more than 42 years. At 92, Biya is among the world’s oldest and longest-serving heads of state, though he has yet to confirm whether he will seek re-election this October.
Questionable Legal Hurdles
Kamto’s eligibility to run is now under scrutiny, given electoral laws that require presidential candidates from political parties to have elected representation. The CRM held one Senate seat during the last election cycle but currently has no elected officials, following widespread delays and cancellations of local elections—most notably the parliamentary polls, now postponed until 2026.
Kamto, however, remains unfazed. “There is no legal obstacle preventing me from running,” he told his followers. His camp has suggested that if barred from running on a party ticket, Kamto could pursue an independent bid, which would require 300 endorsements from elected representatives across the country.
CRM spokesman Guy Tassé accused the government of manufacturing a crisis: “This is a political manoeuvre by the regime to block the candidate they fear the most—because he embodies real change.”
Mounting Instability
The political standoff comes as Cameroon grapples with multiple internal crises. Most notably, the country remains embroiled in a deadly separatist conflict in its English-speaking regions, where rebels have for nearly a decade demanded independence for what they call “Ambazonia.” At least 6,000 people have been killed in the conflict, while over 700,000 have been displaced, according to humanitarian groups.
Meanwhile, censorship continues to tighten. In 2024, the Cameroonian government banned all media coverage of President Biya’s health following persistent rumors about his medical condition and alleged hospitalization abroad.
A Defining Election Year
As Cameroonians look to the future, many are calling for credible elections and constitutional reforms. “We are tired of fear, tired of waiting, tired of not knowing what comes next,” said activist Danielle Mbarga, who stood outside Kamto’s apartment during the standoff. “We want the freedom to choose our leaders without intimidation.”
International observers are watching closely. The United Nations, European Union, and African Union have all previously urged Cameroon to ensure free and fair elections, while the United States has sanctioned individuals in the past over rights abuses during political unrest.
For Kamto, the road ahead remains uncertain. Yet despite the obstacles, he appears resolute. “You cannot lock away a vision,” he said in a follow-up message after departing for Yaoundé. “You cannot barricade the hopes of a people ready for change.”
With or without police blockades, Cameroon’s 2025 election season has begun—with a growing sense that the nation stands at a historic crossroads.
