Kamto’s resignation: Lesson CPDM should learn.

This is evaluated by some commentators as political manoeuvres to teach the Cameroonian opposition that tactical flexibility, institutional strength, and moving beyond a single leader are vital for survival against a dominant regime.

In a country with over 300 political parties, where their founders often die as leaders, stepping aside voluntarily deserves kudos. Kamto says he resigned in the “best interest” of the MRC, and by doing so, he has reinforced a fundamental democratic principle: leaders come and go, but institutions remain.

Some political pundits add that his “departure also sends a clear message to Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji, and to critics who have long treated the MRC as an extension of Kamto himself. The MRC is not Kamto, and Kamto is not the MRC.”

That distinction matters, especially in a country where the ruling CPDM has become almost inseparable from President Paul Biya, repeatedly presented as its “natural candidate.”

Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo, who is Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education and communication officer of the ruling party is on record, as saying if Biya is not there, another would be “invented.”

Kamto was a nightmare to the regime, following his brilliant performance at the 2018 presidential election in which he claimed “stolen victory.” 

He was incarcerated for nine months and released on October 5, 2019. The regime in which he served as Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Justice, and resigned to opposed a “finger that once fed him,” was determined to clip his political wings but for external influence and pressure. 

French President, Emmanuel Macron, later said at the Paris International Agric Show, in February 2020, that he made President Biya’s presence at the Lyon peace conference conditional on Kamto’s freedom. 

It would appear the incarceration only propelled his popularity his rivals were bent on diminishing. The electoral law was tinkered to eliminate his party that made political miscalculations to boycott the 2020 legislative and municipal elections, from participating in last year’s presidential election.

To bypass the new law, he resigned from MRC to contest under the canopy of of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy, MANIDEM.

Seemingly a nightmare to the ruling CPDM party, following is impressive performance at the October 2018 presidential election in which he claimed “stolen victory,” though officially coming second, his candidacy for last year’s election, under the banner of MANDEM, was rejected by the Constitutional Council.

The questionable pretext was that MANIDEM registered dual candidates.

He returned to his party and was re-elected to lead it in December last year, following a Convention that was contested by some party members. 

In a letter addressed to Okala Ebode, an expelled member, MINAT stated that he did not "deem it appropriate to formally acknowledge the Convention" that had returned Maurice Kamto to the party leadership.”   

The MINAT decision was challenged, is still pending in court, and the upcoming Convention will however settle the matter that had been considered as sans objet within Kambo’s party fief.

While thanking the two resigned leaders for their service and the sacrifices made in the party's best interest, the leadership, in accordance with their party statutes, will hold its upcoming Extraordinary National Convention at their national headquarters in Yaounde.

The party’s Secretary General has since opened a call for candidacies whose applications “must be submitted at the party headquarters not later than 10:00 a.m. on October 9, 2026.”

During the Convention, the opposition party will elect successors to Maurice Kamto and Mamadou Yacouba Mota to open new era for the MRC to prepare for upcoming municipal and legislative elections.

The Guardian Post sees it as an opportunity to reconcile its old guard, heal internal divisions and prepare for upcoming elections as a strong, united party.

If managed well, the transition could strengthen the party, rather than weaken it as it holds a third Convention to reinvigorate its national executive, which should coalesce around policies not tin gods.

In Kamto’s leadership, the MRC crystallised national political debate, channeling the frustrations of millions demanding democratic transition against even opposition pseudo-politicians who survived in the act of sharpening divisions and inspiring hatred, modifying facts and twisting every statement in order to malign him.

As we see it, being an ordinary member of the party which he still incarnates, Prof Kamto, legal luminary to the core, should still remain an influential political voice, mentor and kingmaker without being at the apex.

It will empower the party with the ability, focus and magnanimity to reassess, correct course and make room for fresh and invigorated ideas to carry forward to the coming municipal and legislative elections in which he can even still run as a parliamentarian.

That is a lesson the CPDM should learn, especially given that their leader is overloaded with too many tasking State matters, with some members known to have challenged its leadership mandate as haven expired.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3906 of Friday September 11, 2026