Will the planet's most aged leader retain his title and woo a country of youthful electorate?
This planet's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his eighth straight presidential term this weekend.
The nonagenarian has already been in power for over four decades - an additional seven-year term could keep him in power for 50 years until he will be almost 100.
Campaign Controversies
He defied numerous appeals to step down and faced criticism for attending just a single campaign event, using the majority of the election season on a week-and-a-half private trip to Europe.
Criticism regarding his dependence on an artificial intelligence created campaign video, as his rivals courted constituents directly, saw him rush to the northern region upon his arrival.
Youth Population and Unemployment
Consequently for the large portion of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - above sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million people are younger than the quarter century mark.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she believes "longevity in power typically causes a kind of inertia".
"With 43 years passed, the population are weary," she declares.
Youth unemployment has been a particular talking point for the majority of the contenders running in the political race.
Approximately 40% of young citizens between 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in finding official jobs.
Rival Candidates
Beyond young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred debate, particularly regarding the exclusion of a political rival from the presidential race.
The disqualification, confirmed by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a strategy to stop any significant opposition to the incumbent.
Twelve aspirants were approved to compete for the leadership position, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - the two former Biya associates from the northern region of the nation.
Election Challenges
In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and South-West regions, where a long-running insurgency persists, an voting prohibition lockdown has been established, halting commercial operations, travel and education.
The separatists who have established it have promised to harm individuals who does vote.
Starting four years ago, those working toward a separate nation have been battling state security.
The conflict has to date caused the deaths of at no fewer than 6k people and compelled almost 500,000 others from their residences.
Election Results
Following the election, the legal body has 15 days to declare the findings.
The government official has already warned that none of the contenders is authorized to declare victory in advance.
"Candidates who will seek to reveal findings of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement against the regulations of the country would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to encounter consequences appropriate for their violation."
