Cameroon’s top court has dealt a major blow to the opposition by rejecting Maurice Kamto’s appeal to be included in the upcoming presidential elections, effectively clearing the way for President Paul Biya to seek another term without his main challenger.

Kamto, a former minister and fierce critic of Biya’s decades-long rule, had moved to the Constitutional Council seeking to overturn a decision by the national electoral body, Elections Cameroon (ELECAM), which disqualified him from the October 12 contest.

His petition, filed in late July, urged the court to allow his candidacy after ELECAM left his name off the final list of approved contenders.

Out of 83 applications submitted for the presidency, ELECAM cleared only 13, with Kamto among those left out.

He had been viewed as a key opponent, having finished second in the disputed 2018 election where he garnered 14 per cent of the vote. Biya, now 92, was declared the winner in that election with over 70 per cent, despite widespread criticism over irregularities and low turnout.

Kamto’s disqualification this time stemmed from complications tied to the Manidem party, which he joined after his own party, the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC), was barred from fielding a candidate.

The MRC had failed to meet the required threshold of having representation in either Parliament or local councils.

While the leadership of Manidem backed Kamto, a rival faction within the same party reportedly nominated another candidate, creating confusion.

This internal dispute prompted ELECAM to reject both names submitted under the party’s banner.

On Tuesday, the Constitutional Council upheld ELECAM’s ruling, dashing Kamto’s last hope of appearing on the ballot and removing what many had considered the most credible threat to Biya’s continued hold on power, which has now spanned over 40 years.

The court’s decision has raised fears of renewed tension in the country. Security was visibly tightened across Yaoundé on the day of the ruling, with officers deployed around the conference centre where the judgement was delivered and on surrounding roads, according to AP News.

A day earlier, police cracked down on pro-Kamto demonstrations, using tear gas to disperse crowds and arresting dozens who had taken to the streets in protest of his exclusion from the race.