Exclusion of Maurice Kamto, President Paul Biya’s predominant rival, has fuels fears of unrest within the West African nation.
Cameroon‘s electoral fee has rejected the candidacy of Maurice Kamto, President Paul Biya’s predominant rival, in an upcoming presidential election, fuelling fears of unrest and rising the probability of one other win for the incumbent, who has led for many years.
The chief of the electoral fee, ELECAM, introduced the choice in a information convention on Saturday when he learn out an inventory of 13 accredited candidates, which didn’t embody Kamto. No causes got for the exclusion, and people not listed have two days to enchantment the choice.
Kamto, 71, who had formally submitted his candidacy final week, was thought-about Biya’s strongest rival in previous elections. He got here second over the past presidential election in 2018 with 14 p.c of the vote, whereas Biya, who seems on the electoral checklist, cruised to victory with greater than 70 p.c in an election marred by allegations of fraud and a low voter turnout.
Kamto sought to run because the candidate for the communist African Motion for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) celebration. Within the 2018 election, Kamto stood for his personal celebration, the Cameroon Renaissance Motion (MRC), which he established in 2012.
For this yr’s election, Kamto had been nominated by MANIDEM.
Fears of protests and unrest surged round Saturday’s launch of the checklist of accredited candidates. Eighty-three names had been put ahead to the electoral council.
Safety forces have been deployed across the ELECAM headquarters and alongside main roads within the capital, Yaounde, and in Douala, the financial hub.
The United Nations Division of Security and Safety had warned on Friday that the announcement may set off protests within the capital.
The definitive checklist of candidates will probably be introduced within the coming days after any challenges to the provisional checklist are thought-about.
Biya, 92, the world’s oldest serving head of state, mentioned final month he would seek re-election on October 12 regardless of rumours that his well being is failing. He has been in energy since 1982, almost half his lifetime.
Biya’s rule has left a long-lasting affect on Cameroon. His authorities has confronted varied challenges, together with allegations of corruption and a lethal secessionist battle within the nation’s English-speaking provinces that has forced thousands out of school.
Among the many candidates additionally accredited to run within the election are former Prime Minister Bello Bouba Maigari, an ally of Biya’s for almost 30 years, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who resigned as employment minister in early June to submit his candidacy.
