The leader of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM party’s pledge to notably grant President Paul Biya and his family amnesty if elected president has sparked sharp reactions among government officials, with some openly mocking the offer. Critics of the Biya regime have however described the multiple efforts to water down the offer and Prof Maurice Kamto’s pedigree as an outright show of panic by the regime following Kamto’s crowd-pulling rally in Paris last Saturday.
Two senior government officials have launched scathing critiques of opposition leader Maurice Kamto’s recent rally in Paris, describing the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM, president’s attempt to galvanize the diaspora ahead of the 2025 presidential election as both underwhelming and politically unserious. Cameroon’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Grégoire Owona, and Minister Delegate for Justice, Jean De Dieu Momo, used public platforms to ridicule Kamto’s May 31 meeting held at the Place de la République—an event aimed at mobilizing Cameroonians diaspora to return home and help protect the integrity of the electoral process.
Minister Owona led the charge, describing the rally as a “pathetic failure” that fell well short of expectations. In a strongly worded social media post, the longtime Biya loyalist downplayed the significance of the gathering and accused the opposition of exaggerating its influence. “Despite the hype, fewer than 5,000 people showed up,” he wrote. “There were more football fans in nearby bars watching the Champions League final than there were supporters at the rally.” Owona also dismissed Kamto’s remarks about ensuring the protection of President Paul Biya and his family as nonsensical and politically incoherent. “What danger are they in? What protection do they need?” he asked rhetorically. “And which family are we even talking about?” On policy, the minister scoffed at Kamto’s pledge to grant multiple nationalities to Cameroonians living abroad. “Citizens are simply awaiting dual nationality.
What we heard were more insinuations than real commitments,” he concluded, reiterating that “Cameroon is standing strong and moving forward toward a better future.” On his part, Minister Jean De Dieu Momo was even more cutting in his reaction. In a statement laced with sarcasm and ridicule, Momo described Kamto’s comments as politically naive, comparing them to his own 2011 campaign rhetoric, which he now views as immature. “I burst out laughing when I heard that he’s committed to ‘protecting President Paul Biya and his family,’” Momo said. “It’s a veiled way of begging those in power to hand over leadership in exchange for immunity.” Momo further accused Kamto of harboring a “complex of black inferiority,” pointing to the alleged presence of white bodyguards at the rally.
“Here’s someone not yet in power, already surrounded by whites—Nkassa. A president for Cameroon? It’s honestly a joke.”
Flashback on Kamto’s mega rally in France
The National President of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, CRM, Prof. Maurice Kamto officially confirmed his candidacy for the 2025 presidential election during a well-attended rally in Paris, where thousands of Cameroonian nationals and supporters from the diaspora gathered to hear the opposition figure lay out his political vision. Kamto affirmed that there are no legal hurdles preventing his participation in the upcoming October election, brushing aside lingering doubts about his eligibility. His announcement comes at a time when political uncertainty continues to grip Cameroon ahead of what is expected to be a hotly contested vote. The Paris rally was more than a campaign declaration; it served as a strategic call to action for Cameroonians living abroad. Kamto urged members of the diaspora to return home—ideally within the next four months—to help safeguard the electoral process. According to the CRM leader, their physical presence in Cameroon during the electoral period could serve as a powerful deterrent to fraud and manipulation. Although acknowledging that not all Cameroonians abroad would be able to return, Kamto maintained that even a few hundred returning citizens could play a significant role in ensuring a transparent election. Kamto also used the platform to preview key elements of his leadership agenda. He pledged to legalize dual nationality within the first three months of his presidency, a move widely seen as a major gesture to the diaspora. His political program, however, will be formally unveiled in Cameroon in the coming weeks—a deliberate decision intended to reconnect with voters on home soil. The CRM leader emphasized national unity, institutional reform, and economic revitalization as cornerstones of his vision. He reassured the public that his path to power would be anchored strictly in democratic principles, firmly rejecting any recourse to violence. Addressing public concerns about political retribution, Kamto assured that current President Paul Biya and his family would be treated with dignity and protection in the event of a change in leadership. This stance was presented as part of a broader message of reconciliation and nation-building. The 2025 presidential race is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in Cameroon’s recent history. Kamto’s bold declarations and diaspora outreach in Paris are clear indicators that the opposition is positioning itself for a serious challenge to the long-standing status quo.
