Cameroon's government has strongly criticized U.S. remarks regarding the detention of opposition leader Maurice Kamto, labeling the comments as 'inadmissible strong interference' in national affairs.
The dispute arose after U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy urged the release of Kamto and his supporters during an interview with Radio France International. Nagy stated that Kamto's detention for political activities was 'unacceptable,' a stance Cameroon's government rejected as unfounded.
Communication Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi condemned the remarks, asserting they reflected a 'lack of knowledge' about the circumstances of Kamto's arrest. He emphasized that the opposition leader and 116 supporters were detained for alleged crimes including insurgency and destruction of public property, not political activism.
Kamto, who claimed victory in the 2018 presidential election, was arrested alongside his supporters following unauthorized 'white marches' that turned violent. Security forces clashed with protesters, resulting in at least six injuries from gunfire. Official results showed Kamto securing 14.23% of the vote, while President Paul Biya won with 71.28%.
