According to a Gaullist myth, the presidential election is said to be “a meeting between a man and his people.” To justify Maurice Kamto’s political journey—from the MRC to Manidem—with the sole and personal goal of participating in this electoral event, his supporters don’t hesitate to draw from that mythology—and to abuse it. Nothing could be more deceptive.
In reality, no man (or woman) ever goes into a presidential race alone. They are backed by a political apparatus, surrounded by an army of advisers, collaborators, and foot soldiers ready to carry out all kinds of dirty work. In the case at hand, the candidate is propped up by an army of cyber-militants, who are the cornerstone of his machinery for seizing power. Their mission? To discredit the opposition (the CPDM, the governing majority), to slander, mock, smear, ridicule, and destroy the reputation of all political or civil society figures—particularly those seen as popular—but who have not pledged allegiance. Just ask Samuel Eto’o (mocked and smeared daily) or lawyer Claude Assira, who recently became the target of a vicious smear campaign.
Personally, for several years now, I have been regularly attacked in my private life by these so-called “whistleblowers,” some of whom are fervent biographers of Maurice Kamto. I have filed a complaint in France. My friend Mireille Fomekong-Ayangma, whose reputation was similarly dragged through the mud, has also recently taken legal action, both in France and in Cameroon. The legal process takes time—especially because one of the named “whistleblowers” lives in France without a known address and therefore cannot be officially served. But it’s only a matter of time. Since we’ve filed as civil parties, this gives the court the ability to open a judicial investigation. Sooner or later, he will answer for his actions in front of a judge.
What does this have to do with the MRC, one might ask? Can the MRC be held responsible for the behavior of these activists who are wrecking lives? We believe the answer is yes. First of all, let’s ask: who benefits from these coordinated campaigns of harassment, defamation, and character assassination? Who do you think?
Next, several clues strengthen our conviction:
- First clue: The exclusion of Armand Noutack, a member of the MRC’s executive board. His “crime”? Expressing admiration for Samuel Eto’o. The result? Late-night phone threats, a disciplinary hearing based on a flimsy, hypocritical pretext, followed by expulsion… All of it is documented. Today, they call him a “traitor.” But to what cause exactly?
- Second clue: In February 2024, when Henriette Ekwe criticized Maurice Kamto over the 2008 constitutional revision, the entire MRC ecosystem—led by the “whistleblowers”—went after her with fury. Realizing the risk of publicly lynching a woman—especially one who’s a historic figure of the opposition and a former political prisoner—the leader blew the whistle to stop the hunt. And like magic, the storm calmed. For those who still had doubts: this pack has a leader. One can reasonably deduce that when he remains silent, it acts as a green light—a license to “kill,” socially and politically.
Anicet Ekane would do well to keep that in mind, even if, during their political negotiations, the unfortunate head of Manidem expressly demanded that this mob be kept at bay. The other man may have said yes, but when he says yes, it really means no.
No, this man will not be going to meet the people alone. He’ll be accompanied by his murky entourage from the underworld.
Georges Dougueli, Jeune Afrique
