Lawyer

Maurice Kamto

Maurice Kamto Birthday:	February 15, 1954
Birth Name:	Maurice Kamto
Place of Birth:	Bafoussam, WR, Cameroon
Tribe:	Bamileke
Education:	University of Yaoundé, University of Nice
Net Worth:	$2 Million (1.13 billion)

Maurice Kamto, born on February 15, 1954, in Bafoussam, Cameroon, is a politician, lawyer, and law professor. A prominent opposition figure against President Paul Biya, he founded the Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) in 2012 and ran in the 2018 presidential election.

Kamto comes from a modest family and witnessed political events in his youth that influenced his political consciousness.

Early Life and Education

Maurice Kamto was born on February 15, 1954, in Bafoussam, Cameroon. From an early stage in his professional life, he developed a strong interest in law, public administration, and the institutions that govern society.

He studied law at the University of Yaoundé before pursuing further studies in France, including at the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and the University of Nice. His academic journey helped him establish himself as a specialist in public and international law.

Kamto later became a respected university professor and published scholarly work on constitutional and international legal issues. His experience in academia gave him a foundation for understanding the legal and political challenges facing Cameroon and other African countries.

University of Yaoundé: Obtained a degree in public law.

University of Nice: Earned advanced diplomas in international and public law.

International Institute of Public Administration in Paris: Graduated in 1982. University of Nice: Completed his law doctorate in 1983.

He also became an associate of French law faculties and later the dean of the Faculty of Legal and Political Sciences at the University of Yaoundé II.

Legal Career and International Recognition

Before entering frontline politics, Kamto built an impressive career as a legal scholar and international law expert. He served on the United Nations International Law Commission, a body responsible for helping develop and codify international law. He also served as its chair in 2015.

One of his notable professional contributions involved the dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria over the Bakassi Peninsula. He participated in the legal and diplomatic process surrounding the case, which became an important chapter in relations between the two countries.

Academic: Kamto has held professorial positions at various Cameroonian universities and taught at the Institute of International Relations of Cameroon (IRIC).

Legal expert: He is a member of the United Nations International Law Commission and has served as a consultant in international law cases.

Bakassi Peninsula: Kamto led the Cameroonian delegation in negotiations for the Bakassi Peninsula, a disputed territory with Nigeria.

Ministerial: He was appointed Minister Delegate to the Minister of Justice in 2004 but resigned in 2011.

Political career Founding the MRC: After leaving the government, Kamto launched the opposition Cameroon Renaissance Movement (MRC) in 2012 to offer a new political discourse.

2018 Presidential Election: He finished second in the election but disputed the results, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in 2019. He was released later that year following international pressure.

2025 Presidential Election: Resignation from MRC: In July 2025, Kamto resigned from the MRC to avoid legal conflicts over his eligibility to run.

Joined MANIDEM: He was nominated by another party, the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (MANIDEM).

Disqualification: However, Kamto was disqualified by the electoral body ELECAM and his appeal was rejected. The body cited his party’s boycott of previous elections and a dispute over his nomination via MANIDEM.

Controversial figure: His political actions have drawn both strong support and criticism, including accusations related to electoral laws he once helped to draft.

Resignation

In September 2026, Kamto resigned as MRC president, saying the decision was in the party’s best interests. He remained a member of the movement, while Tiriane Balbine Noah took over its leadership.

He remains a significant opposition figure in Cameroon, mobilizing support both domestically and among the diaspora.

Personal Life

Kamto is married to Suzanne Julie Fantchom Wega. Despite his public political career, he generally keeps much of his private life away from the spotlight.