Cameroon officially launched its presidential election campaign on Saturday, with 12 candidates, including one woman, competing for the nation’s highest office.
The campaign will run for two weeks, culminating in the election on October 12, 2025.
Incumbent President Paul Biya, leader of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement, is seeking to extend his 43-year tenure with another seven-year mandate.
Key opposition figures include former ministers and ex-allies of Biya, Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari, who are positioning themselves as credible alternatives to the long-standing incumbent.
Joshua Osih, representing the leading opposition Social Democratic Front, launched his campaign in Bamenda, the capital of the English-speaking Northwest Region.
The Northwest and Southwest regions have been engulfed in an armed separatist conflict since 2017, with separatist fighters seeking to establish an independent state.
Ahead of the election, separatists imposed a month-long lockdown aimed at disrupting the vote in these conflict-affected areas, raising concerns over voter turnout and electoral logistics.
Observers note that the election takes place against a backdrop of political tension, security challenges, and longstanding grievances in the Anglophone regions.
The government has pledged to ensure safe and transparent polling, but the separatist-imposed restrictions are likely to complicate efforts to conduct a free and fair election.
Analysts warn that the election outcome will have far-reaching implications for Cameroon’s stability, governance, and the future of its Anglophone regions.
International observers and civil society groups are closely monitoring the situation, emphasizing the need for adherence to the rule of law and the protection of citizens’ rights during the electoral process.
With the campaign underway, all eyes are on how candidates navigate the country’s political divisions and whether voters in conflict zones will be able to participate safely in the democratic process.
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