2025 Presidential Elections in Cameroon: Cameroon’s Constitutional Council Rejects Akere Muna’s Petition Against Paul Biya’s Candidacy
In a decision that has sent ripples through Cameroon’s political landscape, on 22 August 2025, the Constitutional Council declared “inadmissible” the petition filed by Barrister Akere Muna, presidential candidate of the UNIVERS Party, challenging the eligibility of incumbent President Paul Biya to contest in the upcoming October elections.
The announcement was made by Council President Clement Atangana after hours of closed-door deliberations. No justification was provided for the rejection, leaving legal experts, civil society actors, and political observers questioning the transparency and accountability of the Council’s ruling.
According to Barrister Akere Muna, the party has acknowledged the ruling, but reiterated that they expressed profound disagreement with its substance while reaffirming their commitment to constitutional integrity and democratic accountability. Despite the weight of evidence and the historic nature of the challenge, the Council dismissed the petition without engaging its substance. This marks yet another instance where opposition efforts to scrutinize the presidency have been curtailed by procedural rulings.
Akere Muna’s petition, grounded in Article 118 of Cameroon’s Electoral Code, argued that President Biy, who is now 92 years old, was no longer fit to govern due to prolonged absences from public duties.
Akere Muna responded with measured disappointment, stating: “The Cameroonian people deserve to know who truly governs the country.” He pledged to continue advocating for democratic accountability and institutional reform.
Today at 3 p.m., the Constitutional Council handed down its decision regarding our petition challenging the eligibility of Mr. Paul Biya. The Council declared the petition admissible but unfounded. We take note of this decision, but we strongly disagree on the substance.
1. On Admissibility: A Preliminary Victory for Democracy
The Constitutional Council has, for the first time in Cameroon’s recent electoral history, recognized the right of one candidate to challenge the eligibility of another under Article 118. By declaring the petition admissible, the Council affirms the fundamental principle that a candidate’s eligibility is not a matter of opinion, but of law. This opens the door to citizen and legal oversight of power, and we welcome this.
2. On the Merits: A Missed Opportunity and a Lingering Mystery.
While the Council acknowledged our right to raise the question, its answer leaves us deeply unsatisfied and raises serious concerns. Our petition was supported by precise, documented, and undeniable facts prolonged absences, failure to preside over constitutional institutions, problematic public appearances, and the damning testimony from the Minister of Justice regarding a system of parallel “directives
The silent presence of the Director of the Civil Cabinet at the hearing is, in this regard, the most troubling element. Why was he present, if not to represent presidential authority? Why did the President of the Council offer him the floor? And most importantly, why did he refuse to speak
His silent presence speaks louder than all our arguments. We offered the defense a perfect opportunity to demonstrate, with evidence, that the President exercises his functions with full autonomy. They chose silence This deafening silence validates, in our view, all of our arguments. What were they afraid of?
3. Conclusion: The Fight for Truth and Accountability Continues
The Constitutional Council deemed that the evidence we provided was insufficient to justify ineligibility. We respect its authority, but we maintain that the substantive questions we raised remain entirely unanswered.
The Cameroonian people deserve more than eloquent silence. They deserve transparency. They deserve to know who truly governs the country when their President is absent for weeks, when institutions no longer convene, and when governance appears to be exercised by proxy.
Our fight was not personal; it was constitutional. It aimed to ensure that the highest office of the state is held by a fully autonomous person, as required by law. This fight for clarity, accountability, and strict respect for our fundamental law does not end today.
We will continue to use all legal and democratic means to hold power accountable and to work toward a Cameroon where the legitimacy of its leaders is full, transparent, and beyond question.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
