Will this planet's oldest president retain his position and woo a nation of youthful voters?

The world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he seeks his 8th consecutive term in office this weekend.

The 92-year-old has stayed in office for over four decades - another seven-year term could keep him in power for half a century until he will be almost a century old.

Campaign Issues

He defied broad demands to resign and faced criticism for attending just a single campaign event, devoting much of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half private trip to Europe.

A backlash over his dependence on an AI-generated election advertisement, as his challengers courted supporters on the ground, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Voters and Joblessness

Consequently for the vast majority of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - over 60% of Cameroon's 30 million people are under the age of 25.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she thinks "extended rule inevitably leads to a kind of laziness".

"Following four decades, the population are tired," she declares.

Youth unemployment remains a particular talking point for the majority of the aspirants participating in the vote.

Almost 40% of young residents between 15 and 35 are without work, with 23% of young graduates encountering difficulties in finding formal employment.

Opposition Candidates

In addition to youth unemployment, the voting procedure has created debate, especially with the disqualification of an opposition leader from the presidential race.

The disqualification, approved by the highest court, was widely criticised as a tactic to prevent any serious competition to the incumbent.

12 aspirants were approved to vie for the presidency, featuring an ex-government official and a previous supporter - each ex- Biya associates from the northern region of the country.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest territories, where a long-running separatist conflict persists, an poll avoidance restriction has been enforced, paralysing business activities, movement and learning.

The separatists who have enforced it have warned to attack individuals who participates.

Since 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state have been clashing with state security.

The conflict has to date killed at no fewer than 6,000 lives and forced approximately five hundred thousand people from their homes.

Election Results

Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to reveal the findings.

The government official has earlier advised that no candidate is permitted to announce winning in advance.

"Individuals who will seek to reveal findings of the political race or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the rules of the republic would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to receive consequences commensurate to their offense."