Cameroon’s Presidential Race Heats Up as Candidates Declare for October Election

 

Candidacy submissions for the presidential election in Cameroon officially began on Monday. However, it wasn't until Thursday that momentum picked up when President Paul Biya submitted his candidacy through his representative Jean Nkuete.

"We have just submitted the application for the National President of the CPDM, running for President of the Republic. We believe that the Cameroonian people are mature enough to discern between past actions and current developments," Nkuete informed reporters.

A statement from Cabral Libi of the PCRN was eagerly anticipated. Meanwhile, on the Bamenda side, SDF leader Joshua Osih scheduled a meeting with his supporters.

The candidate from the renowned Social Democratic Front submitted his documents at Elecam's regional headquarters in the North-West. This was a notable moment for Osih, particularly in a town grappling with the crisis affecting the country’s English-speaking regions.

"It's crucial to recognize that we possess a political identity," Osih explained to reporters after submitting his candidacy. "This political identity is deeply rooted in this town, which is why our national headquarters are located here. It was unthinkable for us to file anywhere else."

However, the situation has changed in the past 24 hours with the submission of candidacies in Yaoundé. Bello Bouba Maigari, a current minister under Paul Biya's government, is running for the UNDP; Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who recently resigned as minister; Tomáin Ndam Njoya representing the UDC; and Leon Theiller Onana challenging Paul Biya within the CPDM have all filed their candidacies.

UPC presidential candidate Patricia Hermine Tomaïno Ndam Ndoya advocated for the female candidates in the race, stating: "It's crucial that Cameroonians recognize women as champions of peace and sincerity. We are committed to collaborating with all groups, including intellectuals."

The most eagerly anticipated candidacy on Friday was that of Maurice Kamto, a staunch adversary of the Yaoundé regime.

A candidate backed by Anicet Ekane's Manidem, Kamto is creating quite a buzz and defying expectations. However, he did not address the media today. He and Anicet Ekane are scheduled to host a press conference this Saturday at their party headquarters, where they plan to reveal their future strategy.