CAMEROON'S 2025 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: A NATION AT A CROSSROADS

CAMEROON'S 2025 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: A NATION AT A CROSSROADS

Cameroon is once again at the center of political attention as it prepares for its much-anticipated presidential election, scheduled for October 12, 2025. The contest has already generated intense debate, given the historic nature of the race, the political atmosphere, and the mounting challenges facing the country. With the campaign season officially underway, three major developments are shaping the narrative: the launch of electoral campaigns with a dozen candidates in the running, the controversial exclusion of opposition leader Maurice Kamto, and the announcement by President Paul Biya — at 92 years old — that he will seek an eighth term in office.

These events have positioned the upcoming vote as one of the most consequential in Cameroon’s modern history. Beyond the race for power, the elections reflect the broader struggle for democracy, governance, and stability in a country that has faced internal conflict, economic pressures, and calls for reform.

CAMPAIGN SEASON OFFICIALLY BEGINS

The electoral campaign was formally launched in late September, with 12 candidates cleared by Cameroon’s electoral commission, ELECAM, to contest the presidency. Among the candidates is one woman, marking a significant but modest step toward gender inclusivity in Cameroonian politics.

The campaign period has been marked by a mix of optimism and skepticism. Supporters of the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) see the election as another opportunity to consolidate the party’s grip on power, while members of the opposition hope it could be a turning point for democratic change. However, the credibility of the election has already come under scrutiny due to issues of transparency, uneven political playing fields, and the dominance of state-controlled institutions.

Public rallies, town hall meetings, and grassroots mobilization are intensifying as candidates lay out their visions for the nation. Yet, beneath the vibrant colors of campaign posters and political chants lies an uneasy atmosphere. Many citizens remain uncertain about whether the elections will bring genuine transformation or simply reinforce the status quo.

OPPOSITION IN DISARRAY: THE EXCLUSION OF MAURICE KAMTO

The political landscape took a dramatic turn when ELECAM barred Maurice Kamto, the leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), from running in the election. Kamto, who contested the 2018 presidential elections and was widely regarded as the strongest opposition challenger to Biya, was disqualified on procedural grounds. The Constitutional Council later upheld this decision, a move that triggered widespread condemnation from human rights groups and civil society organizations.

Critics argue that Kamto’s exclusion reflects a deliberate strategy to weaken the opposition and ensure minimal threat to the ruling party. Human Rights Watch and other observers have raised concerns that Cameroon’s electoral framework is designed to marginalize dissenting voices, undermining the principles of free and fair elections.

Kamto himself denounced the decision as politically motivated, describing it as a blatant denial of the people’s right to choose their leader. His supporters, many of whom are young urban voters disillusioned with decades of one-party dominance, now face the dilemma of either boycotting the elections or rallying behind other opposition candidates with less national recognition.

The absence of Kamto not only alters the dynamics of the race but also risks eroding public trust in the electoral process. For many Cameroonians, the choice on the ballot now seems narrower than ever, intensifying fears of voter apathy and potential unrest.

PAUL BIYA'S HISTORIC AND CONTROVERSIAL BID FOR AN EIGHTH TERM

Perhaps the most striking development is President Paul Biya’s official declaration that he will contest for another term. At 92, Biya is already the world’s oldest sitting head of state and has ruled Cameroon since 1982. His decision to run for an eighth consecutive term has sparked both support and criticism across the country.

Supporters of Biya argue that his decades of experience provide stability in a nation facing separatist insurgencies in the Anglophone regions, security challenges in the Far North due to Boko Haram, and economic pressures in a globalized world. To them, Biya represents continuity and resilience in the face of adversity.

However, detractors see his candidacy as a symbol of stagnation and authoritarianism. Critics point to his declining health, long absences from the public eye, and the failure of his government to address fundamental issues such as corruption, unemployment, and regional inequality. Many believe that his continued presence in power prevents the emergence of new leadership capable of addressing Cameroon’s complex challenges.

The announcement has further deepened polarization. While loyalists view it as an assurance of stability, opposition members and civil society groups consider it an affront to democratic renewal. With Biya in the race, the election risks being framed not as a contest between competing visions but as a referendum on his extended rule.

A NATION'S FUTURE HANGS IN THE BALANCE

As Cameroon heads toward October 12, the stakes could not be higher. The combination of a crowded ballot, the exclusion of a major opposition figure, and the return of an incumbent who has ruled for more than four decades creates a tense and uncertain political atmosphere.

The elections will test not only the strength of Cameroon’s democratic institutions but also the patience and resolve of its people. Key questions remain unanswered: Can the opposition unify in the absence of Kamto? Will Biya’s advanced age and health spark debates about succession within the ruling party? And most importantly, will the elections be credible enough to inspire confidence among citizens and the international community?

Cameroon’s upcoming vote is more than a political contest; it is a defining moment for a nation at the crossroads of history. Whether the result leads to continuity, reform, or deeper division will depend not just on the ballots cast, but on the will of the people to demand accountability and shape their country’s future.