The decision by Cameroon’s Elections Management Body (ELECAM) to bar prominent opposition leader Maurice Kamto from the October 12 presidential race has raised serious concerns over the credibility of the upcoming vote, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned.
On 26 July, ELECAM announced that only 13 of the 83 prospective candidates had been approved to contest the poll, including incumbent President Paul Biya, who has been in power since 1982. Kamto, the former leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) and widely considered the most prominent challenger to Biya, was disqualified on the grounds of “plurality of nomination.” The electoral body alleged that Kamto’s nominating party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), was also sponsoring another candidate, Dieudonné Yebga.
Kamto’s lawyers and MANIDEM president Anicet Ekane have rejected ELECAM’s justification as politically motivated and “without legal basis.” They contend that the party never nominated Yebga and accuse the government of orchestrating a political manoeuvre to eliminate a key challenger. Attempts by MANIDEM to hold a press conference in Douala were forcibly shut down by security forces.
“The Election Commission has raised doubt on the election before the votes are even cast. Excluding the most popular opponent from the electoral process will cast a lasting shadow over whatever results are eventually announced.” Ilaria Allegrozzi, Senior Africa Researcher at Human Rights Watch said
HRW said Kamto’s exclusion fits a broader pattern of political repression in Cameroon. Since mid-2024, the authorities have intensified crackdowns on political opponents, civil society activists and lawyers in the lead-up to the polls. The organisation noted that past elections have been marked by violent suppression of opposition protests, mass arrests, and bans on demonstrations — particularly after Kamto contested the results of the 2018 presidential election, declaring himself the winner.
In 2019, Kamto and more than 200 of his supporters were arrested and charged with offences including insurrection before being released later that year. In September 2020, security forces arrested over 550 protesters during peaceful anti-government demonstrations, many of whom were beaten and detained in harsh conditions.
The opposition leader’s latest attempt to run under MANIDEM comes after the electoral code barred parties without elected officials from sponsoring candidates. His legal team filed an appeal with the Constitutional Council on 28 July, seeking to overturn ELECAM’s decision. Yebga has also said he will challenge his exclusion.
HRW warned that the exclusion of major opposition figures risks turning the presidential vote into a “mere formality” and “burying what remains of Cameroon’s democracy.” The rights group urged ELECAM to reverse its decision and allow Cameroonians to decide their political future through a genuinely competitive election.
“The commission’s decision de facto reduces the upcoming vote to a mere formality, buries what remains of Cameroon’s democracy, and triggers fears of renewed violence. The commission should reverse its decision and allow Cameroonians to decide their own future.” Allegrozzi said.
President Biya is seeking an eighth term in office amid mounting calls for electoral reform and fears of instability in the politically polarised nation. The Constitutional Council is expected to deliver its verdict on Kamto’s appeal in the coming days.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom
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