Kamto’s Exit from Biya Regime Seen as Act of ‘Purification’ Ahead of Cameroon Election
A growing chorus of voices in Cameroon is framing Maurice Kamto’s departure from the government as a significant act of political and personal liberation, particularly as scrutiny intensifies on long-serving officials within the Paul Biya administration. The shift in narrative comes weeks before a crucial presidential election, fueling calls for others to follow suit and break free from a system critics allege prioritizes self-preservation over public service.
Mounting Questions of Competence and Accountability
Recent trials and accusations of incompetence leveled against former government ministers Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maïgari have sparked widespread questioning of the Biya regime’s long-term governance. A leading analyst observed that the timing of these accusations – decades after the officials served – raises concerns about a deliberate strategy to discredit individuals in order to maintain control. “To hear the treatment reserved for their allies of yesterday, you understand that everything is done so that everyone is dirty in order to remain hostage of the system,” the analyst stated.
A ‘Liberation’ from the Biya System
The departure of Maurice Kamto from what has been described as a “without task” government is being celebrated by some as a watershed moment. In a recent publication, one commentator characterized escaping the Biya system as “more than a liberation, an act of purification and repentance.” This sentiment reflects a deep-seated frustration with a government perceived as focused on self-preservation rather than serving the Cameroonian people.
“Cameroonians have proof today that the only gravedigger of their hopes is called Paul Biya whose government teams have never been trained to serve the people but to serve and glorify them,” one source wrote. The commentator further lauded Kamto, stating, “Thank God, Maurice Kamto has managed the feat of getting out of this flashed tank. No one has ever accused it of incompetence or sticking any pan on his back.”
Calls for Wider Exodus
With the presidential election rapidly approaching, there is a growing movement to encourage other members of the ruling party to distance themselves from the current administration. A spokesperson for the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC) urged fellow citizens to “encourage our still captive compatriots of this system to escape it.” This call to action underscores a belief that a mass exodus from the Biya regime could signal a turning point for Cameroonian politics and pave the way for genuine reform.
