Can this planet's most aged leader retain the position and attract a nation of youthful voters?
The planet's most aged leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he pursues his 8th straight term in office this weekend.
The nonagenarian has remained in office for over four decades - an additional seven-year term could see him rule for half a century reaching almost a century old.
Election Controversies
He defied widespread calls to leave office and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, devoting much of the political race on a ten-day unofficial journey to the European continent.
A backlash concerning his reliance on an AI-generated election advertisement, as his opponents courted constituents in person, prompted his quick return to the northern region after coming back.
Youth Population and Joblessness
Consequently for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - over sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million residents are younger than the quarter century mark.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she believes "longevity in power inevitably leads to a sort of inertia".
"Following four decades, the citizens are weary," she states.
Young people's joblessness remains a specific issue of concern for nearly all the contenders competing in the political race.
Nearly 40% of young residents between 15 to 35 years are without work, with twenty-three percent of young graduates encountering difficulties in securing regular work.
Rival Candidates
Apart from young people's job issues, the electoral process has also stirred debate, notably concerning the disqualification of an opposition leader from the presidential race.
The disqualification, confirmed by the highest court, was generally denounced as a ploy to stop any strong challenge to President Biya.
Twelve candidates were authorized to contest for the leadership position, comprising an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - both previous Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.
Election Difficulties
In Cameroon's Anglophone Northwest and South-West regions, where a protracted separatist conflict continues, an election boycott restriction has been established, halting economic functions, travel and learning.
Rebel groups who have established it have threatened to attack individuals who does vote.
Since 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been fighting official military.
The fighting has so far resulted in at minimum six thousand individuals and forced approximately five hundred thousand others from their homes.
Election Results
After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to reveal the results.
The government official has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is allowed to claim success prior to official results.
"Those who will try to reveal findings of the political race or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the laws of the country would have broken rules and need to be prepared to encounter retaliatory measures appropriate for their violation."
