Cameroon’s Opposition Leader Maurice Kamto Sued After Paris Speech

The complaint, filed by the pro-government Observatoire du Développement Sociétal (ODS), underscores the ruling regime’s reliance on judicial intimidation to stifle criticism as the 2025 presidential election looms.

Kamto, who once served as Minister Delegate for Justice, has become a leading voice of political reform. His statement in Paris — urging citizens not to “wait for anyone” and pointing to Senegalese youth activism — was hardly revolutionary rhetoric. But for a regime built on fear, even mild calls for civic responsibility can trigger panic.

And panic is exactly what appears to be gripping the aging apparatus of President Paul Biya’s regime.

An Old Regime Losing Grip

At 92, Biya has ruled Cameroon for over four decades — one of the world’s longest-serving leaders. His appearance at the May 20th national unity parade was both symbolic and alarming. Unable to walk unaided, visibly frail, and showing clear signs of physical incontinence, Biya’s presence did little to project strength. Photos that surfaced online, showing urine stains on his trousers, provoked national discomfort and international embarrassment.

Yet his loyalists continue to float his name for re-election — not out of confidence, but out of fear of what a post-Biya era might mean for those who’ve benefitted from the current system.

Instead of engaging in political reform or allowing space for new leadership, the regime has defaulted to its most familiar tool: weaponizing the judiciary. The choice to refer Kamto’s case to a military tribunal, despite his civilian status, is telling. It mirrors his 2019 arrest, when he and dozens of supporters were jailed for peacefully contesting the 2018 election results. Kamto was held for nine months without trial, despite international outcry.

Public Reaction: “Just Watch! Till the Last Drop…”

Renowned Cameroonian musician and activist Richard Bona reacted to the development with biting sarcasm:

“A small meeting by a small party in Paris with undocumented migrants… and already at the military tribunal? What you are looking for, you will get it. Just watch! Till the last drop…”

His words reflect a growing sense of disbelief — and quiet rage — among Cameroonians at home and in the diaspora. That a brief, non-violent meeting abroad could provoke such a heavy-handed legal response illustrates just how fragile the Biya regime has become.

What Next for Cameroon?

With 2025 approaching, the question now is: what future does Cameroon want? A democratic opening or another cycle of fear, repression, and gerontocracy?

If Biya, a visibly ailing 92-year-old, is indeed the ruling party’s candidate, the credibility of Cameroon’s democracy may not survive another term. The regime's tactics — lawsuits, arrests, and military trials — won’t stop history. They only delay accountability.

As Kamto’s case unfolds, the world will be watching. And so will millions of Cameroonians, from Douala to Paris, wondering if their voices will again be silenced — or finally heard.