The disqualification of Maurice Kamto from Cameroon’s upcoming presidential election has sparked controversy, drawing criticism from within the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC).
Joseph Emmanuel Ateba, the party’s National Secretary for Communication, expressed dismay over the reaction of some political figures who appeared to celebrate Kamto’s exclusion.
“The most curious and saddest thing is to see pseudo-opponents rejoicing in the injustice suffered by Maurice Kamto,” Ateba stated, voicing frustration at what he described as a lack of solidarity among opposition figures.
Kamto, leader of the MRC and a prominent opposition figure, was excluded from the official list of presidential candidates released by the Elecam Electoral Council on 26 July 2025. The council approved thirteen candidates to contest the presidential election scheduled for 12 October 2025.
The decision has ignited debate across the political landscape, with supporters and critics alike weighing in. Ateba’s remarks underscore tensions within the opposition, as some rivals have appeared to welcome Kamto’s setback rather than condemn it.
The provisional list published by Elecam remains subject to review by the Constitutional Council, which will consider appeals filed by various political groups, including the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem). The council’s final ruling will determine whether any changes are made to the candidate lineup ahead of the October vote.
For now, Ateba’s comments highlight deepening divisions within Cameroon’s opposition camp as the country edges closer to a pivotal election. The fallout from Kamto’s exclusion, and the reactions it has provoked, are likely to remain central to the political discourse in the coming weeks.
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