The crisis within the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) has reached a boiling point as the party grapples with the controversial return of Maurice Kamto to its leadership, just weeks ahead of the presidential election on October 12, 2025.
The announcement has deeply divided party militants, raising questions about the party’s direction and cohesion.
Despite an official statement from interim president Mamadou Mota, internal tensions continue to escalate. The party’s voter instructions remain unclear, leaving its base in uncertainty as election day approaches.
Regional divisions are particularly pronounced. “Militants in the North do not understand why Mota is being sidelined when he has demonstrated his capability,” confided a regional party official who requested anonymity.
This geographic split underscores deeper disagreements within the party.
Some senior figures argue that Kamto “burned his political capital” during his brief leadership of MANIDEM, while others view his return as a strategic move necessary to preserve unity in the face of the ruling RDPC party.
The communiqué issued after the National Council meeting on September 6 failed to quell growing unrest, with questions about leadership legitimacy still unresolved.
The absence of clear guidance for the October 12 vote has fueled speculation and frustration among party members. “We have been waiting for the official position of the party for weeks,” said a militant from Douala, visibly frustrated by the indecision.
While other political formations have solidified their stances, the MRC appears caught between maintaining its opposition principles and navigating the practicalities of electoral participation.
Observers suggest that the divisions within the party go beyond tactical disagreements, pointing to an existential crisis that threatens the future of the MRC, a party founded in 2012 with the promise of political change.
As the election draws near, the next few weeks are likely to prove decisive for Cameroon’s main opposition party. Whether the MRC can reconcile its internal divisions or succumbs to its current turbulence will shape its political relevance for years to come.
The unfolding crisis raises a broader question: is Cameroon witnessing the end of an era for one of its most prominent opposition movements?
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