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.

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

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.

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.

He remains a significant opposition figure in Cameroon, mobilizing support both domestically and among the diaspora. Maurice Kamto has an estimated net worth of $2 Million approximately 1.13 billion. Kamto is married to Suzanne Julie Fatchom Wega.