By Pearl Obim
Kamto’s only viable path to candidacy appears to be running as an independent, with the burden of securing 300 signatures from across the country.
Yaounde – Maurice Kamto, leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM), has officially declared his intent to run in the upcoming presidential election, positioning himself as a candidate of change and renewal. In a recent statement, Kamto emphasized that his candidacy fully meets the constitutional and electoral criteria, asserting, “My candidacy meets all the conditions laid down by the Constitution and the Electoral Code, and everyone should take note of that because that is the law.”
The announcement comes amid rising concerns over the ability of Kamto’s party to field a candidate, given the CRM’s absence from both the National Assembly and municipal councils. The party had boycotted the 2020 legislative and municipal elections, a move that has now left it without the political representation typically required to nominate a candidate. With the CRM’s lack of parliamentary or local council seats, political analysts suggest Kamto may have to run as an independent or seek support from another party.
Under the current Electoral Code, Section 120 stipulates that any candidate must submit a signed declaration, while Section 121 sets out the requirements for endorsement. A candidate must secure at least 300 signatures from dignitaries across Cameroon’s regions, with no fewer than 30 from each region. These endorsers must be members of Parliament, trade chamber representatives, regional councilors, municipal councilors, or first-class chiefs. However, an amendment introduced in 2012 further complicates matters for Kamto, requiring political parties without parliamentary representation to adhere to the same endorsement conditions as independent candidates.
Having abstained from the 2020 elections, the CRM is without the necessary parliamentary or local council representation to fulfill the new criteria set forth by the law. As a result, Kamto’s only viable path to candidacy appears to be running as an independent, with the burden of securing 300 signatures from across the country.
Despite these challenges, Kamto remains undeterred. “The year 2025 is, it should be remembered, a decisive election year for our country. I will be a candidate in the forthcoming presidential election,” he affirmed. Kamto also framed his candidacy as part of a broader movement for democratic change, positioning himself as the “candidate of the People for a break with a neo-colonial dictatorship.” He added that his participation in the election would be a direct challenge to those “hoping to maintain power without confronting the People of Change and Alternation.”
Kamto’s declaration signals a high-stakes political battle ahead, one that will see legal and political debates intensify as the 2025 election draws nearer. While he is adamant about his eligibility, the complex electoral framework could prove to be a significant hurdle in the coming months. Regardless, Kamto remains committed to his vision of a new political order in Cameroon, one that challenges entrenched power structures and advocates for genuine democratic change.
