A forthcoming book by Dr. Chris Maneng, former campaign director for Issa Tchiroma Bakary, promises to reveal the inside story of the 2025 presidential campaign in Cameroon. The book will focus on the negotiations between Maurice Kamto, leader of the MRC, and Issa Tchiroma Bakary.
According to leaked excerpts, Maneng describes how Tchiroma's team approached Kamto with the aim of forming a strategic alliance. The goal was twofold: to demonstrate Tchiroma's experience and preparedness compared to Kamto, and to signal to Kamto's financiers that Tchiroma represented a credible alternative. The offer included significant roles in campaign management and equal decision-making power.
However, Kamto reportedly rejected the offer, fearing that a secondary position, even temporarily, would favor Tchiroma's rise. Maneng suggests that Kamto's ego and strategic logic outweighed a potential partnership.
Furthermore, the book touches on a speech by George Soros in which he described Cameroon as "one of the most corrupt regimes in Africa". This speech, delivered in 2003, came at a time when Cameroon was regularly criticized by Transparency International for its level of corruption.
In other news from Cameroon, restrictions have been lifted on the body of Anicet Ekane, an opponent who died in detention. His funeral can finally be organized by his family. Ekane was arrested for supporting Issa Tchiroma during the presidential election.
Lastly, the National Order of Lawyers of Cameroon has protested against an initiative by Senator Françoise Puene to sponsor candidates for the bar admission exam. The Order sees this as a "drift" and recalls that sponsorship should not be a commercial or political act.
