Several Cameroonian opposition leaders—both approved and disqualified from the upcoming presidential election—have begun negotiations to rally behind a single consensus candidate to challenge long-serving President Paul Biya.
Key political figures, including Maurice Kamto, Tomaino Ndam Njoya, Hilaire Zipang, Prof. Nkou Mvondo, and Prince Michael Ngwese Ekosso recently held a strategic meeting ahead of the October 12, 2025 presidential vote.
Only Tomaino Ndam Njoya and Hilaire Zipang have been officially approved by the elections management body, Elecam. In addition, Akere Muna, the nominee of Prof. Nkou Mvondo’s UNIVERS party, was also cleared to run. However, it remains unclear whether Mvondo was representing Muna during the discussions.
Prominent opposition leader Maurice Kamto and Prince Michael Ngwese Ekosso of the United Socialist Democratic Party (USDP) were disqualified from the race. Kamto has since filed a petition with the Constitutional Council to overturn Elecam’s decision.
Absentees and Ongoing Coalition Talks
Elecam approved 12 opposition candidates to challenge President Paul Biya, who is seeking an unprecedented eighth term in office. However, only five opposition leaders attended the initial round of unity talks.
According to a source present at the meeting, other prominent figures—Issa Tchiroma Bakary, Akere Muna, and Celestine Bedzigui—are expected to join the discussions in the coming days.
Celestine Bedzigui, president of the Liberal Alliance Party (PAL), has long supported the idea of a unified opposition. During PAL’s July 12 convention in Yaoundé, the party endorsed Ateki Seta Caxton as its official candidate—a candidacy that has since been validated by Elecam.
A source within PAL told MMI that internal talks regarding the consensus candidate are ongoing. However, the party still plans to launch Ateki Seta Caxton’s political campaign program on Friday, August 1, in Yaoundé.
No Consensus Candidate Yet
While coalition talks are still in their early stages, no leading opposition figure has emerged as the consensus candidate. Speaking on MMI’s flagship political program, “Road to Etoudi”, Prince Michael Ngwese Ekosso emphasized that any joint candidate must embody “the people’s aspirations.”
Joshua Osih, representing the Social Democratic Front (SDF), also expressed openness to joining a coalition—even if he is not the lead candidate. In contrast, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, despite consistently advocating for opposition unity, has not confirmed whether he would support another leader in a unified front.
The Constitutional Council’s pending verdict on Kamto’s appeal is expected to play a significant role in shaping the direction of the opposition coalition.
Kamto’s disqualification stemmed from multiple investitures submitted by his party, MANIDEM—an alleged violation of Elecam’s electoral code.
Internal sources told MMI that discussions on a single opposition candidate are expected to continue intensively in the coming days.
