Cameroon’s Electoral Body Disqualifies Top Opposition Leader from Presidential Race

Tension is rising in Cameroon after the country’s Electoral Commission disqualified Maurice Kamto, the main opposition figure, from contesting in the upcoming presidential election. The move clears the path for 92-year-old President Paul Biya to seek yet another term in office. Kamto, who has long been a vocal critic of Biya’s decades-long rule, was reportedly barred on technical grounds, sparking criticism and unrest among his supporters.

Kamto, who previously served as a government minister before turning into one of Biya’s strongest challengers, had contested the 2018 presidential election and claimed victory, although official results declared Biya the winner. His exclusion this time has been described by many opposition voices as a calculated move to silence credible opposition and prolong Biya’s grip on power.

Paul Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him one of the world’s longest-serving presidents. Critics fear that the disqualification of strong candidates like Kamto undermines democratic progress in the country and signals another heavily disputed election. Meanwhile, Kamto’s party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), has vowed to challenge the decision.

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