Overview of the 2023 Presidential Election in Cameroon
Cameroon’s constitutional council has confirmed the decision by the country’s electoral body to exclude opposition leader Maurice Kamto from the upcoming presidential election on 12 October. This move has sparked significant controversy and raised concerns about the fairness of the electoral process. Meanwhile, President Paul Biya, who is 92 years old, has been cleared to run for his eighth term in office, which could potentially extend his leadership until he is nearly 100 years old.
Kamto’s exclusion was due to a dispute within the Manidem party, where a rival faction presented an alternative candidate, leading to his disqualification. His legal team has criticized the decision as politically motivated rather than based on legal grounds. The situation highlights the deep political divisions and challenges faced by the opposition in Cameroon.
Key Candidates in the 2023 Election
Out of 83 candidates who applied for the election, only 12 have been approved by the Electoral Commission of Cameroon (Elecam). The reasons for the disqualification of the remaining 71 include incomplete documentation, failure to pay required deposits, and multiple candidacies from the same party. Among the 12 approved candidates, six are considered the main contenders for the presidency:
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Paul Biya
At 92, Biya is the world’s oldest serving head of state. He has been in power since 1982 and leads the ruling CPDM party. Despite allegations of vote rigging, he has never lost an election since the return of multi-party politics in 1990. His campaign promises to focus on the wellbeing of women and young people. -
Bello Bouba Maigari
A seasoned politician from northern Cameroon, Maigari served as prime minister under Biya and was once a close ally. However, he recently broke away from the CPDM to run independently. His candidacy represents a challenge to Biya’s dominance in the north. -
Issa Tchiroma Bakary
Another former ally of Biya, Tchiroma resigned from government to run for president. He heads the Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF) and criticizes Biya’s governance style, promising systemic reforms. -
Cabral Libii
The leader of the Cameroon Party for National Reconciliation (PCRN), Libii made his first presidential bid in 2018 and came third with 6% of the vote. His recent political evolution has earned praise, and he is seen as a potential threat to Biya. -
Akere Muna
A prominent anti-corruption lawyer and son of a former Prime Minister, Muna aims to address corruption and poor governance. His international experience and clear transition plan make him a strong contender. -
Joshua Osih
Head of the Social Democratic Front (SDF), Osih is running for a second time. His party, once a major opposition force, has struggled with internal conflicts. He promises social and institutional reforms if elected.
Challenges to Biya’s Leadership
Despite the presence of several strong candidates, many analysts believe that Biya remains the favorite. Former allies like Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary have challenged him, but their credibility with opposition voters is questioned. Dr. Pippie Hugues, a policy analyst, suggests that these candidates may not pose a significant threat due to their past associations with the regime.
Cabral Libii is considered the most formidable challenger, given his political growth and recent electoral successes. However, his vision is seen as less clear compared to Akere Muna, who has a more defined plan for the nation.
The Need for Opposition Unity
Historically, Cameroon’s opposition has been fragmented, which has hindered its ability to challenge Biya effectively. Ahead of the 2023 election, there have been calls for unity among opposition figures. While some meetings have taken place, such as the one in Foumban in August, no consensus candidate has been identified yet.
Dr. Hugues emphasizes the importance of forming a coalition to increase the chances of defeating Biya. He also suggests that Maurice Kamto, despite being excluded, could play a role in uniting the opposition.
Lessons from the Past
In the 1992 election, opposition leader John Fru Ndi came close to defeating Biya with the support of a coalition of parties and civil society organizations. Analysts believe that a similar approach could be crucial this year. Without unity, Biya’s path to re-election may remain unchallenged.
As the election approaches, the outcome will depend not only on the candidates’ platforms but also on the ability of the opposition to overcome internal divisions and present a united front.