Human Rights Watch has raised serious concerns over the integrity of Cameroon’s upcoming 2025 presidential election following the exclusion of opposition leader Maurice Kamto from the final list of approved candidates.
On 26 July, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), the country’s electoral commission, released the official list of 13 candidates cleared to contest the presidential race. Notably absent was Maurice Kamto, the candidate nominated by the African Democratic Movement (MANIDEM).
ELECAM cited “multiple candidacies” as the reason for rejecting Kamto’s application.
Kamto, a former contender and long-time opponent of President Paul Biya’s regime, has appealed the decision to the Constitutional Council, urging the court to reinstate his candidacy.
While awaiting the court’s verdict, Human Rights Watch has condemned what it describes as the sidelining of Cameroon’s most prominent opposition figure.
“The electoral board in Cameroon has cast doubt on the election before a single vote has been cast,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior researcher at Human Rights Watch’s Africa division.
“Excluding the most popular opposition leader from the electoral process will taint the legitimacy of the final results.”
Legal representatives from Kamto’s camp argue that the decision lacks legal grounding.
“ELECAM’s decision has no legal basis and is clearly aimed at eliminating a key candidate from the race, supporting the ruling party’s strategy to monopolize power,” said Menkem Sother, one of Kamto’s lawyers, in remarks to Human Rights Watch.
As of now, Kamto has not issued an official response to the commission’s decision.
The controversy surrounding Kamto’s exclusion adds to growing tensions in the lead-up to the 2025 presidential election, amid rising calls for transparency, fairness, and inclusive democratic participation in Cameroon.
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