Yaoundé, Cameroon – July 27, 2025 -Cameroon’s hopes for a competitive and transparent presidential election have been dealt a significant blow following the announcement by the country’s electoral commission, ELECAM, that leading opposition figure Maurice Kamto has been barred from contesting the upcoming October 12 presidential polls.
Kamto, a law professor, former government minister, and head of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), was widely regarded as the most credible challenger to the country’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, who has ruled for nearly 43 years.
The electoral commission stated on Saturday that Kamto had violated legal provisions under Section 121 of the electoral code by accepting the nomination of a political party that had boycotted previous elections. The CRM had refused to participate in the 2020 legislative and municipal elections, citing systemic electoral flaws and widespread irregularities.
According to ELECAM, this boycott disqualified the CRM from putting forward any candidate in the 2025 presidential race, effectively ending Kamto’s chances of running. The decision has reduced the number of approved candidates to just 12 out of more than 80 applicants, significantly limiting the diversity of the electoral field.
Kamto’s 2018 Bid and Controversy
Maurice Kamto’s exclusion has sparked fresh concerns over democratic backsliding in the Central African nation. In the 2018 presidential election, Kamto finished second, securing approximately 14 percent of the vote. President Biya, then 85 years old, won the election with a sweeping majority amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud and manipulation.
Following the 2018 vote, Kamto rejected the results, declaring himself the rightful winner. His refusal to concede led to a wave of protests, arrests, and political tension. Kamto was subsequently detained for nearly nine months before being released under pressure from both local and international actors, including the United Nations and the European Union.
Many Cameroonians and political analysts had hoped that the 2025 elections would provide a more level playing field, especially with Kamto preparing a strong return. His removal from the race, they say, signals the entrenchment of authoritarian tactics and weakens the already fragile opposition.
A Fragile Political Landscape
President Paul Biya, now 92 years old, announced earlier in July that he would be seeking an eighth seven-year term in office. First ascending to power in 1982, Biya is one of the world’s longest-ruling leaders and has maintained a tight grip on Cameroon’s political machinery through a combination of constitutional amendments, electoral control, and repression of dissent.
Critics accuse Biya’s government of manipulating the legal framework and electoral rules to silence opponents and perpetuate his stay in power. The removal of Kamto, widely seen as the face of the democratic opposition, has only deepened those fears.
“This is not just an electoral disqualification. It is a surgical removal of hope from the Cameroonian democratic process,” said Dr. Henri Ndumbe, a political analyst based in Douala. “Kamto was the most credible opponent, and barring him from the race is a clear indication that the regime is not ready to give up power peacefully.”
Legal Ambiguity and Political Motives
ELECAM’s decision to invoke Section 121 of the electoral code has also drawn scrutiny. The section stipulates that any political party that fails to participate in consecutive elections may be barred from future nominations. However, legal experts argue that the interpretation of this clause remains ambiguous and could be politically motivated.
“It is a selective application of the law,” said Barrister Celine Tchana, a constitutional lawyer. “The CRM’s decision to boycott the 2020 elections was in protest of the lack of reforms. Using that against them now is both legally questionable and politically manipulative.”
Opposition groups and civil society organizations have begun mobilizing in response to the announcement, with fears that the exclusion of Kamto could trigger mass protests or even violent clashes.
International Reactions and Uncertain Road Ahead
The international community has expressed concern over the developments. Human Rights Watch, in a statement released on Sunday, called for Cameroon’s electoral commission to ensure fairness and inclusivity in the electoral process. “The exclusion of viable candidates undermines the legitimacy of the entire election,” the statement read.
Diplomatic observers from the African Union and European Union are also monitoring the situation closely, with some warning that failure to address the growing tensions could lead to instability in the months leading to the vote.
Cameroon, a nation already grappling with separatist conflicts in its Anglophone regions and frequent security challenges in the Far North due to Boko Haram, cannot afford further political unrest.
Despite the setback, Kamto has yet to issue an official statement, though sources within the CRM say the party is consulting with its legal team and preparing to challenge the decision in court.
A Race with One Favourite?
With Kamto out of the race, President Biya now faces a weakened and fragmented opposition. Among the 12 candidates cleared to run, none appears to command the same national recognition or influence as Kamto, raising concerns that the election may be a mere formality.
“The ruling party is staging an election that lacks credibility,” said Jean-Pierre Manga, a journalist and political commentator. “With the opposition sidelined, the people of Cameroon are left with no real choice. It’s democracy in name only.”
The October 12 presidential election is scheduled to run alongside parliamentary and regional elections. Yet, with less than three months to go, the electoral environment appears increasingly volatile and uncertain.
Conclusion
The exclusion of Maurice Kamto from Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election has cast a long shadow over the country’s democratic prospects. As tensions mount, observers fear that the political space in Cameroon is shrinking fast, leaving little room for opposition voices or meaningful reform.
Whether Cameroonians will accept this new reality or rise in protest remains to be seen. But what is certain is that the credibility of the upcoming election, and the long-term stability of the country, now hangs in the balance.
Africa Live News will continue to follow this developing story.
