The upcoming presidential election in Cameroon on October 12, 2025, is shaping up to be defined not only by the candidates on the ballot but also by the absence of one key figure: Maurice Kamto.
Though disqualified from running, Kamto’s name is expected to dominate the electoral discourse, according to Joseph Emmanuel Ateba, National Secretary of Communication for the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC).
In a statement, Ateba asserted that the campaign of the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (RDPC) candidate—and some of his allies—will largely focus on justifying Kamto’s exclusion from the race.
“Kamto’s disqualification will be a real pain for them,” Ateba said. “The election campaign of the RDPC candidate and some of his allies will consist of explaining why they disqualified Maurice Kamto.”
Kamto, a prominent opposition leader, had been widely anticipated as a key contender ahead of the October vote, making his absence a notable development in the political landscape. The Constitutional Council has officially validated twelve candidates to contest the presidency, leaving Kamto out of the running.
This disqualification is expected to be a contentious issue during the campaign period, as parties navigate the complex political terrain and voter sentiments surrounding Kamto’s barred candidacy. Ateba’s comments highlight the strategic narrative the ruling party might adopt to address the opposition’s setback and its implications for electoral legitimacy.
The election is poised to be one of the most closely watched contests in Cameroon’s recent history, with heightened tensions and political stakes running high. Observers will be keenly following how the RDPC handles the Kamto issue and how voters respond in the lead-up to polling day.
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