Presidential elections were held in Cameroon on 7 October 2018.Cameroon: Calls grow for Biya to run for presidency in 2018 Africa News, 23 March 2017New Party To Challenge Biya In 2018 Presidential Election Cameroon Post, 23 May 2017
Background The previous presidential elections on 9 October 2011 saw incumbent president Paul Biya, in power since 1982, elected for another seven-year term following a 2008 constitutional amendment that removed term limits, allowing Biya to run again.Cameroon parliament extends Biya's term limit France 24, 11 April 2008 Going into the 2018 elections, Cameroon experienced unrest in the English-speaking portions of the country where separatists have attempted to create the state of Ambazonia. The worst of the unrest occurred in Manyu where several Western countries issued travel warnings to their citizens.U.S., U.K. and Canada issue travel warning for Cameroon's southwest region Africa News, 23 December 2017 The Social Democratic Front, a party that traditionally performs well in the English-speaking portions of the country, has been vocal in their criticism of the handling of the unrest.Cameroon Opposition MPs Demand Open Debate on Anglophone Crisis VOA News, 24 November 2017 Biya has responded to the unrest by stating that he would like to see faster progress made on decentralization reforms that were begun in 2010 so that local regions would have more self governance.Cameroon President Vows to 'Deal' with Separatists Voice of America, 1 January 2018
On 15 June 2018, the BBC obtained a copy of a letter from Paul Biya to the leader of Cameroon's Senate, appearing to request that the elections be postponed until October 2019. In July, President Biya announced that the election would be held on October 7, 2018.
Electoral system The President of Cameroon is elected by first-past-the-post voting; the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner with no requirement to achieve a majority.Cameroon IFES
Candidates Accepted Garga Haman Adji, leader of the Alliance for Democracy and Development Paul Biya, incumbent president and candidate for the Cameroon People's Democratic MovementFEATURE: As Paul Biya Looks to Running Again in 2018, Has He delivered on his 2011 electoral promises? Cameroon Journal, 21 August 2017 Maurice Kamto, candidate for the Cameroon Renaissance Movement Cabral Libii, journalist and law professor at University of Yaoundé II; candidate for UniversCameroun: Cabral Libii sera candidate à la présidentielle s'il est le gagnant de la primaire CMRB , Douala city councilman and leader of United People for Social RenovationCameroun : qui est Serge Espoir Matomba, candidat déclaré à la présidentielle 2018? Jeune Afrique, 13 June 2017 Akere Muna, candidate for Now! , candidate for the National Citizens' Movement of Cameroon Adamou Ndam Njoya, candidate for the Cameroon Democratic Union Joshua Osih, selected as the Social Democratic Front candidate on 24 February 2018
Did not run Samuel Eto'o; the former footballer was rumoured to be considering running.Samuel Eto'o set to challenge Paul Biya in 2018 Cameroon Concord, 20 July 2017 Dieudonné M'bala M'bala, French comedian of Cameroonian descent Bernard MunaCameroun – Akere Muna : « Pourquoi je suis candidat » Jeune Afrique, 10 October 2017 Bernard Njonga; leader of Believe in CameroonBernard NJONGA se raconte : "Après 30 ans de lutte citoyenne, Je Continue..." Believe in Cameroon, 22 December 2016Cameroun : qui sont les candidats déclarés à la présidentielle de 2018? Jeune Afrique, 25 October 2017
Results
Aftermath On 28 January 2019 Maurice Kamto was arrested in Douala while at a supporter's house.
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