Sunday, February 09, 2025

Unveiling Tomorrow's Cameroon Through Today's News

Breaking

YAOUNDÉ, Jan. 21, 2025 — The legal battle between Maurice Kamto’s Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC) and Elections Cameroon (ELECAM) over the publication of the national electoral list took another turn on Tuesday.

The Constitutional Council declared itself incompetent to hear the MRC’s petition regarding the alleged failure by ELECAM to publish a comprehensive electoral list by December 30, 2024, as required by the Electoral Code.

Core of the Dispute

The MRC accuses ELECAM’s Director General, Eric Essousse, of failing to fulfill his obligation under Article 80 of the Electoral Code, which mandates the publication of the national electoral list. While ELECAM published what it termed “electoral lists,” the MRC insists on a single, unified national list.

Constitutional Council Ruling

In its ruling, the Constitutional Council also rejected the MRC’s motion to recuse its president, Clément Atangana, and member Adolphe Minkoa She, from the case. The motion alleged bias but was dismissed unanimously by the Council members.

Adolphe Minkoa She’s report indicated that the Court of Appeal is the appropriate judicial authority to address the matter, aligning with the Council’s position.

MRC’s Next Steps

Martin Tene, a senior official with the MRC, announced the party’s intention to pursue the case at the Court of Appeal. However, the party expressed concerns over a possible “jurisdictional conflict” where no court may ultimately claim authority to address the issue. The MRC hinted at taking the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.

Broader Implications

This legal dispute comes as Cameroon gears up for the 2025 presidential election. The MRC views the publication of a transparent and comprehensive national electoral list as a critical step toward ensuring fairness in the electoral process.

The unresolved conflict highlights the tension between political actors and institutions tasked with managing elections, raising questions about the credibility and transparency of the upcoming electoral cycle.

With stakes high, the outcome of this legal challenge could significantly influence Cameroon’s electoral landscape as the country navigates a politically charged period.