The exclusion of Kamto raises concerns over electoral fairness, as the candidate navigates a political landscape dominated by the 92-year-old incumbent.
Cameroon Opposition Leader Excluded from Presidential Election Race
Cameroon Opposition Leader Excluded from Presidential Election Race
Maurice Kamto, a notable challenger, barred from running against the world's oldest president, Paul Biya.
In a shocking development, the Cameroonian opposition leader Maurice Kamto has been removed from the candidate list for the upcoming presidential election slated for October 12. Out of the 83 candidates submitted to the electoral body Elecam, only 13 have been approved, leaving Kamto, who previously garnered significant support in the 2018 elections, out of contention for this year’s race. President Paul Biya, who is 92 and the longest-serving president in the world, remains on the ballot seeking an eighth consecutive term.
Despite the growing pressure for Biya to resign, he asserts that he still has much to contribute to the nation after nearly 43 years in power. However, he will face competition from former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, both of whom hail from the northern regions of the country, known for their substantial voting populations.
The reasons for Kamto's exclusion stem from a registration conflict regarding his representation of the Manidem party. Although he received official backing from the party's leadership, another candidate from a splinter faction has also claimed the party affiliation. Anicet Ekane, president of Manidem, criticized the decision, calling it "arbitrary and provocative," and urged Cameroonians to remain calm while legal challenges to the disqualification are considered.
With the deadline for filing any contestations set for two days, Kamto navigates a complex political landscape, particularly after the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), which represented him in the previous election, was barred from endorsement this year due to its absence of elected officials in the legislative assembly.
Other candidates accepted for the race include prominent anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Social Democratic Front leader Joshua Osih, and lawmaker Cabral Libii. Notably, Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the fiery mayor of Foumban, stands out as the only female candidate among the list approved to run.
This unfolding political drama raises significant questions about electoral integrity in Cameroon as the nation prepares for a pivotal election under the shadow of a long-standing regime.
Despite the growing pressure for Biya to resign, he asserts that he still has much to contribute to the nation after nearly 43 years in power. However, he will face competition from former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, both of whom hail from the northern regions of the country, known for their substantial voting populations.
The reasons for Kamto's exclusion stem from a registration conflict regarding his representation of the Manidem party. Although he received official backing from the party's leadership, another candidate from a splinter faction has also claimed the party affiliation. Anicet Ekane, president of Manidem, criticized the decision, calling it "arbitrary and provocative," and urged Cameroonians to remain calm while legal challenges to the disqualification are considered.
With the deadline for filing any contestations set for two days, Kamto navigates a complex political landscape, particularly after the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), which represented him in the previous election, was barred from endorsement this year due to its absence of elected officials in the legislative assembly.
Other candidates accepted for the race include prominent anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Social Democratic Front leader Joshua Osih, and lawmaker Cabral Libii. Notably, Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the fiery mayor of Foumban, stands out as the only female candidate among the list approved to run.
This unfolding political drama raises significant questions about electoral integrity in Cameroon as the nation prepares for a pivotal election under the shadow of a long-standing regime.
