By Hans Ngala
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned ELECAM for its decision “to exclude Maurice Kamto, a key opposition leader and challenger to incumbent President Paul Biya, from the country’s upcoming presidential elections”.
In a statement dated July 29, HRW’s senior Africa researcher, Ilaria Allegrozzi, said, “The election commission (ELECAM) has raised doubts on an election before the votes are even cast. Excluding the most popular opponent from the electoral process will leave a shadow over whatever results are eventually announced.”
The rights group, which has a global footprint, also reminded Cameroonian officials that Cameroon is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which obligates Cameroon to ensure the free and fair participation of all its citizens in elections.
The statement also quoted Menkem Sother – one of Kamto’s lawyers as saying that “ELECAM’s decision has no legal basis and only aims at eliminating a key challenger from the elections, supporting the ruling party’s long-term strategy of power confiscation”.
Allegrozzi is further quoted in the statement stating that “The Election Commission’s decision de facto reduces the upcoming vote to a mere formality, buries what remains of Cameroon’s democracy, and triggers fears of renewed violence. The commission should reverse its decision and allow Cameroonians to decide their own future.”
