Cameroonians have strongly condemned the heavy security deployment that surrounded the residence of opposition leader Prof. Maurice Kamto following the government’s ban of an extraordinary convention of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM, party.
The denunciation follows a statement issued by Mamadou Mota, the CRM’s Interim President, who asserted that Kamto’s residence has been under a “de facto siege, without any legal justification” for several days.
“For several days, President Kamto’s residence has been under a de facto siege, without any legal justification being provided by the authorities,” Mota wrote. He condemned the “abusive encirclement and the resulting restriction on movement, which constitutes a clear violation” of rights.
Mota argued that these actions reflect the Yaounde regime’s contempt for the rule of law, republican legality, and respect for opposition leaders. He lamented that Kamto, leader of a legal political party, is being “treated like a criminal, in violation of all applicable laws.”
While some attributed it to the belief that the authorities held the CRM responsible for Issa Tchiroma, many suggested that the ban and security measures were connected to the CRM’s extraordinary convention scheduled for November 29.
However, the gathering was aimed to elect new party leadership, with Kamto widely expected to return as president and reorganise the party ahead of the 2025 Legislative and Municipal Elections, going by sources.
The convention was formally banned by the Divisional Officer of Yaoundé IV, in an order signed on November 27. The administrative authority cited the risk of a “serious threat to public order” as justification for the decision.
Reliable sources reported that the CRM headquarters in Yaounde was also blockaded by security forces on Saturday. The security encirclement has sparked sharp criticism from citizens, who accuse the regime of provoking the public.
One concerned CRM militant expressed deep sadness over the security actions at both Kamto’s home and the party headquarters. “Why could the government not deploy security officers to go and ensure that nothing happens when the convention is going on?” the militant questioned.
A citizen identified as Emelda stated, “Government at each given time provokes citizens, and when they rise, they will say that Cameroonians are being manipulated when they are the ones manipulating them. After stealing elections, they are not satisfied. Let them allow Cameroonians to continue suffering in peace.”
Another, who identified as Steven, questioned the government’s motivations. “Why is the government afraid? Are they having skeletons in their cupboard? The questions are many, but the government should be careful because when you keep pushing Cameroonians to the wall, they will one day react no matter how you bribe them,” he said.
Prof. Kamto, the former president of the CRM, stepped down from party leadership last July to avoid legal issues related to running as a candidate in the October 12 presidential election. Following his resignation, he ran under the MANIDEM banner, but his candidacy was ultimately rejected by the Constitutional Council.
With the authorities’ ban, the CRM faces a period of uncertainty just as the party was trying to solidify its leadership and internal organisation. The administrative blockade comes at a pivotal moment, right before an electoral cycle where the party intended to reposition itself on the national political scene.
By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo