Cameroon Electoral Commission Bars Main Opposition Leader From Presidential Race

Cameroon's electoral commission, ELECAM, has disqualified Maurice Kamto, the main opposition leader, from contesting the October 12 presidential election, fueling fears of unrest and consolidating expectations of another victory for incumbent President Paul Biya. Kamto, who came second in the 2018 election with 14% of the vote amid fraud allegations, sought to run under the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) after his previous party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), was barred from endorsing candidates. No reasons were provided for Kamto's exclusion, though disqualified candidates have a two-day window to appeal. Security forces were deployed in major cities including Yaoundé and Douala ahead of the announcement to prevent protests, with the UN warning of potential demonstrations. Biya, 92, the world's oldest sitting head of state, is seeking an eighth term after more than four decades in power. Other candidates on the provisional list include former allies of Biya and prominent opposition figures, but Kamto's barring raises significant concerns about the fairness of the electoral process.