Cameroon – In a controversial decision that has sparked widespread criticism, Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has upheld the disqualification of prominent opposition leader Maurice Kamto from the upcoming presidential election, paving the way for President Paul Biya to seek an eighth term in office.
The 92-year-old Biya, Africa’s longest-serving head of state, has ruled the Central African nation since 1982. If re-elected, he would remain in power until nearly 100 years old. Despite his advanced age and growing calls for leadership renewal, Biya is widely viewed as the frontrunner in the 12 October election.
Kamto, Biya’s main challenger in the 2018 presidential election, was ruled out due to an internal dispute within the Manidem party that endorsed him. A rival faction submitted a different candidate, which the electoral body, ELECAM, cited as grounds for rejecting Kamto’s application. His appeal was dismissed by the Constitutional Council, drawing condemnation from rights groups and civil society.
Security forces clashed with Kamto supporters in Yaoundé, with tear gas deployed and several protesters arrested. Human Rights Watch and other observers have criticized the move as undermining democratic integrity and limiting voter choice in the upcoming election.
Out of 83 applicants, ELECAM approved only 12 presidential candidates after rejecting 71 for reasons including incomplete documentation, unpaid deposits, and multiple candidates from the same party. Among those cleared to run are several high-profile figures, but analysts question whether any of them can pose a serious challenge to Biya.
The confirmed candidates include former allies of Biya such as Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, both of whom previously held senior government positions. Their candidacies, though unexpected, are viewed with skepticism by opposition supporters who accuse them of aiding Biya’s longstanding grip on power.
Cabral Libii, a member of parliament and leader of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN), is considered one of the more credible opposition figures. After securing 6% of the vote in 2018, Libii has gained political traction through his legislative work and party-building efforts.
Another key candidate is Akere Muna, a respected international anti-corruption lawyer and former presidential contender. Muna’s campaign is focused on institutional reform and restoring governance standards in the country, which he argues have deteriorated under Biya.
Joshua Osih of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), who came fourth in 2018, is also in the race, alongside Hermine Patricia Tomaïno Ndam Njoya, the only female candidate and leader of the UDC party.
Political analysts warn that unless opposition candidates form a united front, Biya’s re-election is almost guaranteed. Cameroonian civil society leaders have urged opposition parties to back a single consensus candidate who can rally national support. A recent meeting in Foumban aimed at building such a coalition laid out criteria for unity but has yet to produce a unified candidate.
The last time the opposition came close to unseating Biya was in 1992, when John Fru Ndi secured 36% of the vote under a coalition, compared to Biya’s 40%. Since then, opposition divisions and allegations of electoral manipulation have kept Biya in power.
With the disqualification of Kamto and no clear opposition alliance in place, observers believe Biya remains firmly in control of a system that has repeatedly favored incumbency over competition. As the election date approaches, all eyes will be on whether the remaining opposition candidates can overcome personal ambitions and unite in a meaningful challenge, or if Cameroon is set for yet another chapter of Biya’s decades-long rule.