MRC Europe: Reaffirms Support for Maurice Kamto After 2025 Presidential Exclusion

• The MRC's Europe federation issued a declaration on September 6, 2026, reaffirming support for Maurice Kamto and condemning "political-judicial harassment."
• Maurice Kamto was excluded from the October 12, 2025, presidential election, with his candidacy officially invalidated by the Constitutional Council on August 5, 2025.
• ELECAM initially rejected Kamto's candidacy due to a "plurality of endorsements" within MANIDEM.
• MRC Europe signatories allege Kamto's exclusion was a "cybercrime by the Ministry of Territorial Administration" and a "state conspiracy," citing specific MINAT correspondences.
• The declaration claims the MRC has consistently faced "destabilization acts by the ruling power and its proxies" since its creation.

The declaration directly addresses Maurice Kamto, stating that the party, which he has "courageously and brilliantly" led since its inception, has "always been subject to destabilization acts by the ruling power and its proxies."

The Europe federation of Cameroon's Mouvement pour la Renaissance du Cameroun (MRC) has publicly reiterated its unwavering support for party leader Maurice Kamto, its directoire, and the resolutions adopted by the National Council on September 6, 2025. This declaration, issued on September 6, 2026, by the MRC's departmental secretaries in the Europe Region, comes a little over a year after Kamto's exclusion from the 2025 presidential election race.

The two-page document, signed collectively by regional officials, describes their backing for Kamto as "enlightened and lucid." It also strongly condemns what the signatories characterize as "acharnement politico-judiciaire" — political-judicial harassment — directed against both their leader and the MRC party itself. This public statement underscores persistent tensions surrounding opposition political activity in Cameroon.

A central focus of the MRC Europe's declaration is the invalidation of Maurice Kamto's candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for October 12, 2025. This exclusion was officially formalized on August 5, 2025, by the Constitutional Council, following an initial rejection by the electoral body, ELECAM. The stated reason for ELECAM's initial decision was a "plurality of endorsements" within the MANIDEM party.

However, the signatories of the MRC Europe declaration present a starkly different interpretation of these events. They assert that the decision to invalidate Kamto's candidacy was the result of "cybercrime by the Ministry of Territorial Administration" (MINAT) and constitutes a "state conspiracy" against the MRC. As evidence, they cite two specific correspondences from MINAT, which were reportedly addressed to Mr. Thierry Okala Ebode, identified in the declaration as a former militant who had been excluded from the party.

Beyond the specific incident of Kamto's electoral exclusion, the MRC Europe's statement broadens its critique to encompass what it describes as a sustained campaign against the opposition. The declaration directly addresses Maurice Kamto, stating that the party, which he has "courageously and brilliantly" led since its inception, has "always been subject to destabilization acts by the ruling power and its proxies." This accusation suggests a pattern of deliberate actions aimed at undermining the MRC's political standing and operational capacity.

The timing of this renewed public support and condemnation, more than a year after the pivotal 2025 electoral decision, highlights ongoing concerns within the diaspora regarding the political landscape in Cameroon. It underscores the perception among Kamto's supporters that the challenges he and the MRC face are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader, concerted effort to suppress opposition voices ahead of future political contests.

This development highlights the persistent legal challenges and political risks faced by opposition figures in Cameroon, particularly concerning electoral eligibility and due process. Lawyers advising clients on political stability, human rights, or electoral law in Cameroon should note the accusations of 'acharnement politico-judiciaire' and potential implications for future elections.

Source: Original reporting via Actu Cameroun