Can the planet's oldest president keep his title and attract a country of youthful voters?
The world's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth straight presidential term this weekend.
The elderly leader has already been in power since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could keep him in power for half a century reaching almost a century old.
Campaign Issues
He resisted numerous appeals to resign and drew backlash for only showing up for one rally, devoting much of the election season on a 10-day private trip to the European continent.
A backlash over his dependence on an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his rivals actively wooed supporters directly, prompted his quick return to the northern region on his return home.
Youth Population and Unemployment
Consequently for the vast majority of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - over sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million inhabitants are younger than the 25 years old.
Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she maintains "longevity in power naturally results in a kind of laziness".
"Following four decades, the citizens are exhausted," she says.
Young people's joblessness remains a notable discussion topic for nearly all the candidates running in the political race.
Almost 40% of youthful Cameroonians between 15 and 35 are without work, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in obtaining official jobs.
Opposition Contenders
Apart from youth unemployment, the voting procedure has created debate, particularly regarding the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.
The disqualification, confirmed by the legal authority, was generally denounced as a ploy to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.
A dozen aspirants were authorized to compete for the leadership position, comprising an ex-government official and another former ally - both ex- Biya allies from the north of the nation.
Election Difficulties
In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest regions, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an election boycott restriction has been established, paralysing commercial operations, transport and schooling.
Insurgents who have established it have threatened to target anyone who does vote.
Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been fighting government forces.
The conflict has so far killed at minimum six thousand people and compelled approximately five hundred thousand others from their residences.
Vote Outcome
Once polling concludes, the highest court has fifteen days to declare the findings.
The government official has previously cautioned that no aspirant is authorized to declare victory prior to official results.
"Candidates who will attempt to reveal findings of the presidential election or any self-proclaimed victory in violation of the regulations of the country would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to face retaliatory measures commensurate to their offense."
