Police stakeout of Cameroon’s presidential hopeful ends
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Opposition leader Maurice Kamto leaves Douala after a tense two-day police standoff sparked by his return from a controversial rally abroad.
Stakeout Ends After Opposition Leader’s Return
Cameroon’s main opposition figure Maurice Kamto has been freed to move after police ended a two-day surveillance operation outside his temporary residence in Douala. The 71-year-old leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) was blocked from leaving the building after he returned from France, where his political rally angered the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM).
Kamto had planned to meet CRM party members but was prevented from doing so by security officers stationed outside. On Monday, he called off the meeting and travelled to the capital, Yaoundé.
Kamto Eyes Presidency Amid Uncertainty
Kamto has made clear his intention to contest Cameroon’s presidential election scheduled for later this year. His main objective is to end the 42-year rule of 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who has yet to confirm if he will seek re-election.
Kamto is no stranger to confrontation with authorities. In 2018, after challenging the presidential election results, he was jailed for nine months on charges of insurrection following mass protests by his supporters who claimed the election was rigged. The government denied all allegations of fraud.
Promises in Paris Stir Controversy at Home
During a rally in Paris on 31 May, Kamto addressed thousands of Cameroonians in the diaspora, assuring them of a peaceful transition if elected. He notably pledged to protect President Biya and his family:
“You can be sure that nothing will happen to Mr Biya and his family. Nothing. I guarantee it. I have no time for hatred — only time to build Cameroon with you.”
However, this assurance did not sit well with some CPDM officials. Labour Minister Grégoire Owona dismissed Kamto’s statement as “pathetic,” questioning what danger the president’s family faced and insisting that Cameroon was not at risk.
Tightened Security and Media Restrictions
Following Kamto’s arrival in Douala, security was visibly heightened. Police reportedly received orders to closely monitor the neighborhood where Kamto was staying. Local and international media were barred from filming near the premises.
Video clips from Sunday night showed Kamto addressing his supporters through a window, saying, “As I speak, I’m still sequestered.” He urged them to disperse peacefully, saying, “Go home in calm and dignity.”
Authorities also blocked access to the CRM party office where the planned meeting was to take place. Officials claimed the meeting lacked proper authorization — a claim Kamto disputed, arguing that all necessary notifications had been sent to local authorities.
Legal Battles and Political Maneuvers
As the election nears, international human rights groups have criticized the government’s suppression of opposition voices. Meanwhile, legislative elections scheduled for earlier this year have been postponed to 2026, a move that further complicates Kamto’s presidential bid.
Under current electoral laws, a party must have sitting representatives in parliament for its leader to run for president. While the CRM had one senator during the last election, it now has no elected officials. Kamto may attempt to run as an independent, which would require him to gather 300 signatures from prominent figures across the nation.
CRM spokesperson Guy Tassé insists this is a politically motivated effort to silence Kamto:
“There is a political manoeuvre by the regime to try to block the candidate they fear because he embodies real change.”
Kamto himself remains adamant that no legal barrier prevents him from contesting.
Cameroon Faces Multiple Crises
The political tension unfolds against a backdrop of deeper national turmoil. Cameroon is still grappling with a violent separatist conflict in its two English-speaking regions, where rebels are demanding independence. The nearly decade-long crisis has claimed over 6,000 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands.
Additionally, concerns about President Biya’s health continue to circulate, especially after reports on his condition were banned last year amid rumours of his death.
As election season approaches, the stakes are high in Cameroon, with both the political and humanitarian situations hanging in the balance.
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