Cameroon August 2025: Politics, separatist violence and jihadist attacks

Kamto excluded, northern challengers step up

On 5 August, the Council rejected Kamto’s appeal against the electoral body’s disqualification. Small protests erupted in Yaoundé on 4-5 August, with police allegedly firing tear gas. In Kamto’s absence, northern politicians Bello Bouba Maigari and Issa Tchiroma Bakary have emerged as President Paul Biya’s main challengers, each drawing thousands at campaign rallies in Garoua and N’Gaoundéré.

Other opposition figures such as Cabral Libii and Joshua Osih remain in the race but appear weakened, with no signs of uniting behind a single candidate.

Questions over Biya’s capacity

Despite Biya’s long incumbency, doubts persist about his ability to serve another mandate. On 19 August, candidate Akere Muna petitioned the Constitutional Council to disqualify Biya under constitutional provisions, but the request was rejected on 22 August.

Security concerns in Anglophone regions

Anglophone separatist groups carried out deadly ambushes in Boyo and Donga-Mantung divisions this month, while security forces were accused of killing civilians at a checkpoint in Bamenda. Rebels announced a lockdown from 8 September to 14 October to disrupt the poll. Government forces have reinforced their presence across the North West and South West regions.

Boko Haram threat in Far North

In the Far North, Boko Haram attacks and kidnappings continued in Logone-et-Chari, Mayo-Sava and Mayo-Tsanaga divisions, leaving civilians dead and injured. Analysts warn that escalating violence could complicate election security across multiple regions.

Follow more analysis in the Cameroon Concord Politics section.