Cameroon Elections: Opposition Leaders Join Forces Ahead of Sunday's Polls

The leader of Cameroon’s People's Development Front (FDP), Akere Muna, has withdrawn his candidacy, ahead of Sunday’s presidential election.

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A spokesman of Muna, on Friday, announced that the former candidate will form a coalition with the Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon’s (MRC) Maurice Kamto.

The two opposition parties joined together as an attempt to defeat incumbent President Paul Biya - who has been in power for six terms. Cameroon's authorities have been accusations of unfairly favoring Biya, one of Africa's longest-serving rulers, who won 78 percent of votes in 2011's polls.

Communication Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said in a statement that "measures have been taken... to prevent any actions that might create violence or disorder around the elections."

Muna said he decided to "withdraw" his candidacy for this Sunday's vote in order to benefit Kamto. "I firmly believe that the future of Cameroon is the top priority and is worth every personal sacrifice," Muna wrote on Twitter.

Biya has been in power for 35 years and will bid for a seventh term when he faces seven challengers - following Muna's withdrawal - at the polls Sunday.

The opposition front-runners are Kamto and main opposition Social Democratic Front’s Josh Osih, who was not included in the new alliance.