Cameroon judicial body backs barring of opposition presidential candidate

6/8/2025 6:18

Cameroon's Constitutional Council on Tuesday upheld a decision to reject the candidacy of Maurice Kamto, the main rival to President Paul Biya, in a presidential election on October 12.



The electoral commission in July excluded Kamto from the list of candidates approved to contest the vote. It said Kamto was barred because he was running under the banner of the MANIDEM party, which also supported a second candidate.



Kamto appealed against the decision within the two-day deadline. However, Clement Atangana, President of the Constitutional Council, confirmed the ruling in a decision that cannot be appealed.



Kamto could not be immediately reached for comment.



Human Rights Watch said in a statement last week that the electoral board's decision to exclude Kamto raised concerns about the credibility of the electoral process.