Cameroon’s constitutional council bars main opposition candidate from presidential race
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Monthly Digital Subscription
$1 per week for 24 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.00 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
Monthly Digital Subscription
$4.75/week*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Billed as $19 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $16.99 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $23.99 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — Cameroon’s constitutional council on Tuesday rejected opposition candidate Maurice Kamto’s appeal to be reinstated on the ballot for the upcoming presidential election.
Kamto, a former government minister, is seen as the main challenger to long-serving President Paul Biya. Kamto had filed an appeal last month after the electoral commission did not include him in the list of approved candidates.
The decision Tuesday fueled fears of unrest and increases the likelihood of another Biya victory.
Security forces were deployed around the conference center in the capital Yaounde, where the Constitutional Council announced the verdict, and along the city’s major roads.
The previous day, police had fired tear gas and arrested dozens of people who were protesting in support of Kamto ahead of verdict.
Kamto was considered Biya’s strongest rival in past elections. He came second during the last presidential election in 2018 with 14% of the vote, while Biya cruised to victory with over 70% in an election marred by irregularities and a low turnout.
Biya, 92, the world’s oldest serving head of state, said last month he would seek reelection on Oct. 12 despite rumors that his health is failing. He has been in power since 1982, nearly half his lifetime.
Biya’s rule has left a lasting impact on Cameroon. His government has faced various challenges, including allegations of corruption and a deadly secessionist conflict in the nation’s English-speaking provinces that has forced thousands out of school.