Kamto Declines to Endorse Candidate

Kamto stressed that a fragmented opposition risks handing victory to incumbent Paul Biya, yet acknowledged that weeks of talks with civil society and fellow political leaders yielded no consensus.

Speaking after his rejection as a presidential candidate, Kamto noted that many of his supporters had expected him to guide their vote. Instead, he said: “Every Cameroonian must vote their conscience. If we could not agree on one candidate, then let each citizen decide who best represents change.”

Kamto had urged opposition actors on September 16 to rally behind one of two candidates from the northern region or to forge a limited coalition. But he admitted the overture failed, leaving each camp to launch its own campaign as the official period opens.

With just weeks to the polls, Kamto argued that imposing a directive now would only deepen division. He concluded that a united opposition would have been a stronger alternative to Biya, but in its absence, “the people must decide.”