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Maurice Kamto Biography

Maurice Kamto was born on February 15, 1954 in Bafoussam the capital city of the West Region of Cameroon. The Cameroonian academic is also a lawyer and one of the founders of the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC). After serving the government, he decided to team up with other politicians and bring a debate to democracy in the Republic of Cameroon that has had the same president – Paul Biya since 1982. As a result, he was the presidential candidate representing the MRC party in the 2018 presidential elections which ended with the recumbent maintaining the seat and a lot of controversy.

His Education

He obtained a degree in public law from the University of Yaounde in 1979. A Diploma of Advanced Studies in Fundamental Public Law and a Diploma of Advanced Studies in International Law from the University of Nice – France in 1980. In 1982, he completed from the International Institute of Public Administration in Paris and later in 1983 had a doctorate in law from the University of Nice. The then became the Dean of the Faculty of Legal and Political sciences at the University of Yaounde II (1994-2004).

maurice kamto

His career under the Government

He was appointed by President Paul Biya to lead the Cameroonian delegation to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the conflict in the Bakassi peninsula claimed by both countries. The peninsula was maintained as part of Cameroon, he was then promoted to higher posts in the Government.

In 2004, he was appointed as Minister Delegate to the Minister of Justice which he resigned from in 2004.

Maurice Kamto and the MRC

He was one of the founders of the Movement of the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC) party on the 13th of August, 2012 in Yaounde. The MRC brought together other parties and politicians. He was the leading opposition leader on the October 2018 elections representing the MRC party.

On the 8th of October 2018, he declared himself the winner of the presidential elections before official results were released. After days of appeals with the constitutional council concerning the elections, he ended up with 14.23% of the votes.

After protests, on the 26th of January 2019 and about 200 of his supporters were arrested and taken to the Kondengui Prison. A day after the Major National Dialogue – October 5, 2019, he was released following a release from the head of state.

After his release he has had crowd-drawing occasions like that at the Place de la République in Paris – France with the Cameroonian diaspora with many willing for change of administration. On September 22, he called for general demonstration around the country that would lead to the ousting of the president. The protester were dispersed by policemen throughout the country and some protester were wounded. As a result, Maurice Kamto was put on house arrest until a day after the Regional elcetions.

International activities

  • 2011-2012 – Chairman of the International Law Commission (I.L.C)
  • 2004-2016 – Special Rapporteur of the International Law Commission (I.L.C)
  • 1999-2016 – Member of the International Law Commission
  • 1994-2004 – Advocate for Cameroon before the I.C.J in the case of the Bakassi Peninsula.
  • 2003-1005 – Advocate for the Republic of Niger before the I.C.J in the Frontier Dispute with Benin
  • 2003-2004 – Advocate for Guinea Conakry in the Diallo Case with the DRC
  • Member of the Curatorium  of the Hague Academy of International Law

With a lot of international recognition and with many distinctions, the Cameroonian politician is believed to have more in store for his career as a politician especially as the 2025 presidential elections are concerned. Does he have what it takes to bring a change? 

Alos read: Joseph DIon Ngute Biography

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