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Maurice Kamto has officially entered the race for Cameroon’s 2025 presidential election, submitting his candidacy to the General Directorate of Elections in Yaoundé on Friday morning, July 18.
At approximately 9 a.m., Kamto arrived at the electoral offices, greeted by a wave of supporters and sympathizers who had gathered nearby under the watchful eye of law enforcement.
His presence drew significant attention as debates continue over the legitimacy of his candidacy.
Accompanied by a small delegation, Kamto submitted his application to the commission responsible for receiving presidential nominations. After verifying the required documents, officials accepted the submission.
Kamto then exited the premises to a round of applause and chants from his supporters.
In a move that has surprised some observers, Kamto is running under the banner of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM), rather than his usual political party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC).
This shift has triggered fresh debate over whether his transition between parties aligns with the legal requirements outlined in Cameroon’s electoral code.
With his candidacy now confirmed, legal analysts and political observers are closely examining whether Kamto must officially resign from the MRC to comply with electoral regulations.
The answer, many say, lies in the fine print of Cameroon’s complex political and legal framework.
Kamto’s candidacy joins four others already submitted to ELECAM, the electoral body overseeing the presidential process.
The full list of contenders is expected to be finalized in the coming days, as officials review and validate the documentation for each applicant.
As the political climate intensifies ahead of the vote, all eyes are now on how ELECAM and legal institutions will interpret the electoral law — and whether Kamto’s political pivot will stand up to scrutiny.
