Will the planet's most aged president keep the position and attract a nation of youthful voters?

President Biya

This world's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's electorate "better days are ahead" as he pursues his eighth straight term in office on Sunday.

The 92-year-old has already been in office for over four decades - another seven-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost 100.

Campaign Controversies

He resisted widespread calls to resign and drew backlash for making merely a single campaign event, using the majority of the political race on a 10-day personal visit to the European continent.

Negative reaction concerning his reliance on an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his rivals courted supporters in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Population and Unemployment

This indicates for the vast majority of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - over 60% of Cameroon's thirty million inhabitants are younger than the 25 years old.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she maintains "longevity in power typically causes a sort of laziness".

"Following four decades, the people are weary," she declares.

Young people's joblessness has become a specific talking point for most of the contenders running in the vote.

Nearly 40% of young residents aged from 15-35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates facing challenges in securing regular work.

Rival Candidates

In addition to young people's job issues, the electoral process has also stirred dispute, notably concerning the removal of Maurice Kamto from the presidential race.

The removal, confirmed by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a ploy to stop any strong challenge to the incumbent.

A dozen contenders were cleared to vie for the country's top job, featuring an ex-government official and another former ally - both former Biya allies from the northern region of the country.

Voting Difficulties

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and South-West regions, where a protracted separatist conflict continues, an voting prohibition lockdown has been imposed, paralysing economic functions, transport and schooling.

The separatists who have imposed it have promised to target people who does vote.

Beginning in 2017, those seeking to create a separate nation have been clashing with official military.

The fighting has to date resulted in at least six thousand lives and forced approximately five hundred thousand people from their houses.

Vote Outcome

Once polling concludes, the legal body has 15 days to announce the results.

The interior minister has already warned that no candidate is allowed to claim success prior to official results.

"Candidates who will seek to reveal findings of the political race or any unofficial win announcement against the laws of the republic would have broken rules and must prepare to encounter retaliatory measures appropriate for their crime."

Charles Ramos
Charles Ramos

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in game journalism and content creation.