Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Yaoundé, Aug 10, 2025 : As the countdown to Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election intensifies, the political atmosphere remains charged, with accusations of unfair practices swirling around the exclusion of Maurice Kamto, the leading opposition figure. Kamto, who has been a vocal critic of the long-standing President Paul Biya, rejected the court’s recent ruling that barred him from standing in the October race, calling the decision “arbitrary” and part of a deliberate attempt to undermine his campaign.
The controversy began when the Constitutional Court, on August 5, 2025, upheld an earlier ruling by the country’s electoral commission, confirming that Kamto was disqualified from the race due to the registration of another candidate from his own party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM). The electoral commission’s decision has sparked an outcry, as many believe it was engineered to create a facade of multiple candidacies and thus prevent Kamto from running.
Kamto, who secured second place behind Biya in the 2018 elections, has long been a thorn in the side of the ruling government. On Thursday, he addressed the media, denouncing what he believes are political maneuvers designed to eliminate his candidacy. “The decision to exclude me from the 2025 presidential election was taken a long time ago,” he stated, accusing President Biya’s camp of manipulating the legal and electoral systems to secure an advantage. Kamto’s comments came just days after his appeal hearing before the Constitutional Court in the capital, Yaoundé, which ultimately upheld the ban.
The court’s ruling has sparked widespread debate about the integrity of the electoral process, with rights groups like Human Rights Watch raising alarm. Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at HRW, warned that Kamto’s exclusion would cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election, asserting that “excluding the most popular opposition figure would undermine the credibility of the electoral process and the eventual outcome.”
Kamto, 71, has been at the forefront of opposition politics in Cameroon, consistently challenging Biya’s 43-year reign. His movement, MANIDEM, has gained significant support among the electorate, and his candidacy was expected to be a serious challenge to Biya’s dominance. However, the government quickly moved to endorse another candidate from MANIDEM, aiming to create confusion and divide the opposition. Kamto accused the ruling party of deliberately “fielding a new candidate from MANIDEM to artificially create multiple nominations” and distort the electoral race.
Despite the setback, Kamto has not backed down. He remains steadfast in his belief that the political struggle is far from over and that his exclusion is just another chapter in Biya’s long-standing efforts to suppress opposition voices. He reiterated his commitment to running for president, calling on the people of Cameroon to stand up for their rights. “The presidential election is not just a position, it is a duty—a responsibility to the citizens of this country,” Kamto declared.
Meanwhile, several political parties, including other opposition groups, have pledged to unite behind a single consensus candidate to challenge Biya in the upcoming elections. However, the identity of this candidate remains unclear as factions continue to debate the best path forward.
As the election approaches, the focus now shifts to whether Kamto’s exclusion will spark further protests or if the opposition will be able to mount a credible challenge to Biya’s long-standing rule. The international community, as well as human rights organizations, will be closely watching the developments in the coming weeks, with concerns about the fairness of the electoral process growing louder.