Kamto's exclusion comes as a shock, particularly as he had previously finished second in the 2018 elections, during which he alleged electoral fraud. The electoral body, Elecam, accepted only 13 of the 83 candidates proposed, but did not explain why Kamto was disqualified. Biya, who is 92 years old and has held power for nearly 43 years, is running for an eighth term, asserting he has much to offer the nation despite calls for resignation.
Joining Biya in the race are former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari. Meanwhile, Kamto was previously associated with the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), but due to a lack of elected representation, his party could not endorse any candidates this year. He has since allied with the Manidem party, which possesses local representation.
Other accepted candidates comprise esteemed anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Joshua Osih of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), and the lawmaker Cabral Libii. Notably, the only female candidate listed is Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the Mayor of Foumban. Disqualified candidates, including Kamto, have a two-day window to contest the decision with the constitutional council.
Joining Biya in the race are former allies Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari. Meanwhile, Kamto was previously associated with the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), but due to a lack of elected representation, his party could not endorse any candidates this year. He has since allied with the Manidem party, which possesses local representation.
Other accepted candidates comprise esteemed anti-corruption lawyer Akere Muna, Joshua Osih of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), and the lawmaker Cabral Libii. Notably, the only female candidate listed is Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the Mayor of Foumban. Disqualified candidates, including Kamto, have a two-day window to contest the decision with the constitutional council.
