By Tata Mbunwe
Cameroon’s Minister of Tourism and Leisure, Bello Bouba Maigari, has refuted reports that he has resigned from President Paul Biya’s government, days after declaring his intentions to challenge Biya in the October presidential election.
In an interview with Jeune Afrique, Minister Maigari said he stills attends cabinet meetings in Yaounde and is not facing any internal backlash from the government, despite rejoining the opposition.
Asked whether he had resigned, he replied: “No. If I decide to resign, it will be addressed to the President of the Republic, Paul Biya, who is the only one authorized to appoint or dismiss government members.”
He added, “If I choose to step down, it will be through an official letter sent to the appropriate authority. What is certain is that running an effective campaign will require my full commitment.”
His statement comes after reports circulated on social media claimed that he had resigned from his post as Minister of Tourism, a position he has held since 2011.
On Saturday, June 28, Bello Bouba Maigari officially ended his long-time alliance with the ruling Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement (CPDM) party by making an unexpected declaration to run for presidency.
His alliance with the CPDM allowed thousands of members of his party, the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP), to vote for President Paul Biya, who has ruled Cameroon since 1982.
Bello Bouba, who rivalled Biya in the 1992 presidential election, became strongly allied with him after accepting a Ministerial appointment in 1997.
Now at 76, he is returning to the presidential race for the second time. He said his decision to be the NUDP’s candidate is because “representatives from the youth, women, and grassroots members strongly urged me to run in the upcoming presidential election”.
He told Jeune Afrique in his first public interview since the declaration that this should surprise no one.
“This isn’t new — since last year, many comrades have been encouraging me to do so. I always replied that we needed to wait for the right moment and follow our party statutes. Today, I can confirm that I have accepted to be a candidate in the October 2025 presidential election.”
Talking about the policies his party is proposing for Cameroon, he said: “…Alongside our partner, we have always advocated for genuine democracy: freedom of expression, respect for the popular vote, and fairness in election outcomes. These are principles we remain firmly attached to.”
