By Synthia Lateu
Professor Maurice Kamto has officially resigned from the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM) to return to the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (CRM) as its National President.
In a statement issued today, September 12, 2025, Kamto explained:
” The CRM National Council noted the end of my mission at its meeting on 6 September 2025, with a resolution calling for my return to the party and the resumption of my mandate as National President of the CRM. In order to comply with this request, I first had to resign from MANIDEM. I did so today, 12 September, by sending a letter of resignation to MANIDEM, with immediate effect.
The CRM National Council said its members were unanimous in supporting Kamto’s return.
Kamto also praised MANIDEM’s leadership, commending party president Georges Anicet Ekane and its members for their “patriotic spirit” and “goodwill” during their year-long collaboration.
In a separate statement, MANIDEM confirmed receiving Kamto’s resignation.
The party’s Political Bureau expressed satisfaction with their past partnership and pledged to continue collaborating with political forces that support Kamto, guided by “the sole compass of Cameroon’s interest.”
“In this spirit, MANIDEM continues, together with other organizations and personalities, its efforts to find, as soon as possible, a consensus opposition candidate for the October 12, 2025 presidential election,” the letter stated.
MANIDEM had presented Kamto’s candidacy for the upcoming presidential election, but Elecam rejected the file, citing multiple endorsements, a decision later upheld by the Constitutional Council. Kamto described the process as “unprecedented administrative barbarity and judicial arbitrariness.”
He further clarified that the mandate given to him by the CRM National Council on October 26, 2024 , authorizing him to choose how to present his candidacy had expired following the Constitutional Council’s ruling on August 5, 2025.
With just a month to go before the polls, the opposition continues to struggle to agree on a single candidate to challenge incumbent President Paul Biya. Many observers believe Kamto’s could be pivotal I’m this move.
Kamto recently hosted UNDP president and presidential candidate Bello Bouba Maïgari at his residence. The meeting he described as “cordial” has fueled speculation of a potential political realignment. Analysts argue that only figures like Bello Bouba and Issa Tchiroma still have enough electoral weight to make a difference, though long-standing rivalries have hindered a united opposition front.
Kamto is now seen as a possible mediator who could help broker an agreement on a consensus candidate , a move widely called for by citizens advocating for opposition unity.
