In brief
With only 13 candidates approved by the electoral body, Maurice Kamto's exclusion has drawn criticism from his supporters, while Biya remains a dominant figure in the political landscape.
Cameroon's political landscape is in turmoil as opposition leader Maurice Kamto has been officially excluded from contesting in the presidential election scheduled for October 12. Of the 83 candidates submitted to the Electoral Board (Elecam), only 13 were accepted, with President Paul Biya, aged 92, confirmed to run for an unprecedented eighth term in office.Kamto, who came in second place to Biya during the 2018 elections, faced exclusion following a registration dispute within the Manidem party, which he had recently joined after his previous affiliation with the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM). This year, the CRM was not permitted to endorse candidates due to a lack of representation in parliamentary or local councils.Despite Kamto's official adoption by Manidem's ruling body, another individual from a splinter group registered under the same party name, leading to his disqualification. Manidem president Anicet Ekane condemned the exclusion as "arbitrary and provocative" and signaled the party's intention to appeal the decision to the Constitutional Council.While Biya prepares to extend his nearly 43-year reign, he faces competition from former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, both hailing from the northern regions renowned for their electoral strength. Among the few candidates cleared to run, renowned anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Social Democratic Front leader Joshua Osih, and lawmaker Cabral Libii are notable figures.The only female candidate on the approved list, Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, serves as the Mayor of Foumban. As the political situation unfolds, the disqualified potential candidates, including Kamto, have a limited time frame of two days to file legal challenges. The ongoing drama reflects the deeply entrenched political dynamics and the challenges faced by opposition parties in a nation dominated by a long-standing ruler.
