What's behind the US's antagonism against South Africa?
South Africa has rejected a recent report by the United States on its human rights record. It's not the first time the country finds itself in the firing line of the US. What's behind it?
While the firebrand political figure was sidelined, 92-year-old President Paul Biya whose candidacy also faced opposition, was cleared to run for what would be his eighth term in the oil-rich Central African nation.
If he were elected for another seven-year term, he could remain in power until he was almost 100.
Kamto was ruled out because a rival faction of the Manidem party which endorsed him presented another individual as a candidate, highlighting an internal squabble.
In his first public comments, Kamto on Thursday evening said the decision was "arbitrary" and taken for political reasons.
Who are the main candidates?
Of the 83 candidates who submitted their applications to the electoral body, only 12 have been approved.
The reasons given by Elections Cameroon (Elecam) for the disqualification of the 71 range from incomplete files, non-payment of the required deposit, to multiple candidates from the same party.
Of all the contestants, six are seen as the main contenders:
1. Paul Biya
At 92, Paul Biya is the world's oldest serving head of state. He has been in power for nearly 43 years since 1982. Biya leads the ruling CPDM party which dominates the political scene. He is widely considered the favorite, now that his main rival, Kamto, is out of the way.
The veteran politician has never lost an election since the return of multi-party politics in 1990. However, his victories have been marred by allegations of vote rigging – claims which his party and the government have continuously denied.
Announcing his intention to run, Biya said his eighth term would focus on the well-being of women and young people.
2. Beautiful Bouba Maigari
Bello Bouba Maigari, 78, is an experienced politician who hails from Cameroon's vote-rich northern region.
He is the president of the National Union for Democracy and Progress (NUDP) party founded in 1990. He served in the governments of both of Cameroon's presidents -Ahmadou Ahidjo and Paul Biya.
In fact, he was Biya's first prime minister between 1982 and 1983. Since 1997, Maigari has forged an alliance with Biya's CPDM party that helped the latter clinch significant votes from the north.
However, this political marriage ended in June following pressure from within his party to run independently.
While serving as Minister of State for Tourism and Leisure, Maigari announced his resignation and declared himself a candidate against Biya, who he also faced in the 1992 presidential election.
3. Issa Tchiroma Bakary
Another former Biya ally whose candidacy came as a surprise is 75-year-old Issa Tchiroma Bakary. Like Maigari, he is from the country's north and has been influential in helping Biya secure the region's votes.
After a 20-year stint in different government roles, Tchiroma finally pulled the plug on his time with the 92-year-old leader, resigning from his role as Minister of Employment and Vocational Training to announce his candidacy.
Tchiroma, who heads the Cameroon National Salvation Front (CNSF) party, criticized Biya's governance style and hinged his presidential bid on a promise to overhaul the system, which he described as "suffocating."
