Why Maurice Kamto Was Barred, But Biya Gets to Run Again

Maurice Kamto & Biya Gets to Run Again

In a move that has sparked outrage, suspicion, and international concern, Cameroon’s electoral commission, ELECAM, has disqualified opposition leader Maurice Kamto from contesting the upcoming October 2025 presidential election, while approving the candidacy of 92-year-old incumbent President Paul Biya, who is seeking an eighth term in office. This development has raised critical questions about the integrity of Cameroon’s democratic processes, the role of electoral institutions, and the future of political opposition in the country.

ELECAM cited Article 121 of Cameroon’s Electoral Code, which states that only political parties with elected representatives in municipal or legislative bodies can nominate a presidential candidate. Kamto’s party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), had previously boycotted the 2020 local and parliamentary elections. As a result, it lost all representation in the legislative landscape.

To circumvent this, Kamto aligned with a smaller political movement MANIDEM (African Movement for New Independence and Democracy) which he claimed met the eligibility criteria. However, ELECAM ruled that the party failed to meet the threshold, rejecting Kamto’s candidacy on “technical grounds” related to endorsements and legal representation.

Critics argue that this is a deliberate application of "lawfare", a strategy using legal frameworks not to uphold justice, but to strategically silence viable opposition. While laws are essential for any electoral process, their selective enforcement, especially against high-profile opponents, reveals deeper political motives.

Maurice Kamto is more than just an opposition figure. A respected legal scholar, former Minister Delegate of Justice, and internationally recognized intellectual, Kamto became the main challenger to Paul Biya in the controversial 2018 elections. Official results claimed Biya won by over 70%, but widespread allegations of fraud and Kamto's strong urban support base cast doubt on the legitimacy of the outcome.

Kamto has since become a symbol of democratic resistance, especially among Cameroonian youth and the diaspora. His calm demeanor, legal acumen, and outspoken stance on reform made him the most significant threat to the Biya regime’s decades-long grip on power.

At 92, President Paul Biya is the world’s oldest serving head of state and has ruled Cameroon since 1982. His approval to run again despite health concerns, governance issues, and a growing demand for generational change highlights the institutional entrenchment of his power.

Biya’s ruling party, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM), has deep-rooted influence across all layers of governance ELECAM, the judiciary, the military, and regional administrations. These structures have historically preserved power rather than enabled democratic competition.

By contrast, no such institutional safety net exists for opposition leaders. Instead, they face media blackouts, arbitrary detentions, judicial harassment, and now, disqualification from elections through obscure interpretations of law.

Kamto’s exclusion is not just about a candidate being barred it is about the closure of political space in Cameroon. It signals to citizens that democratic participation may be futile and that power transitions will only occur through the same elite, entrenched networks.

This decision:

• Fractures the opposition, as other candidates like Cabral Libii and Joshua Osih lack Kamto’s national profile.

• Erodes public trust in institutions like ELECAM and the Constitutional Council.

• Triggers potential unrest, especially among frustrated youth, civil society, and opposition supporters.

• Weakens international confidence in Cameroon’s commitment to democracy, increasing the risk of sanctions or aid suspension.

Cameroon’s situation is part of a growing trend across parts of Africa, where long-serving leaders deploy legal tools to eliminate electoral competition under the guise of rule of law. Similar tactics were used in countries like Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Congo-Brazzaville.

This model does not reflect genuine constitutionalism it reflects a managed democracy, where elections occur regularly, but power never truly changes hands.

Maurice Kamto’s exclusion from Cameroon’s 2025 presidential race is a symptom of a broader democratic decay. While framed as a matter of legal compliance, the decision reflects a calculated effort to maintain the dominance of a president who has ruled for over four decades and is now in his 90s.

As millions of Cameroonians face economic hardship, youth unemployment, insecurity in Anglophone regions, and a stifled civic space, the need for credible leadership and a genuine democratic opening has never been more urgent.

The question remains: Will Cameroon’s future be decided through fair competition or through exclusion and repression?

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