Can this planet's most aged leader retain the title and woo a nation of young voters?

This world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised the nation's electorate "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The 92-year-old has stayed in office for over four decades - another 7-year mandate could keep him in power for 50 years reaching almost 100.

Campaign Issues

He resisted broad demands to resign and drew backlash for making merely one rally, devoting much of the political race on a 10-day personal visit to the European continent.

Criticism concerning his dependence on an AI-generated election advertisement, as his challengers courted supporters in person, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Voters and Unemployment

Consequently for the great bulk of the population, Biya is the only president they remember - over 60% of the nation's 30 million people are younger than the quarter century mark.

Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "different faces" as she maintains "prolonged leadership naturally results in a kind of inertia".

"With 43 years passed, the population are tired," she declares.

Youth unemployment has been a specific issue of concern for most of the contenders running in the political race.

Almost 40% of young citizens aged from 15 and 35 are unemployed, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in securing formal employment.

Rival Contenders

In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has created controversy, particularly regarding the exclusion of a political rival from the election contest.

The disqualification, confirmed by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a tactic to prevent any strong challenge to President Biya.

A dozen contenders were approved to compete for the leadership position, including an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - the two former Biya allies from the north of the country.

Voting Challenges

In Cameroon's Anglophone Northwest and South-West territories, where a long-running rebellion persists, an poll avoidance closure has been established, stopping business activities, movement and learning.

The separatists who have enforced it have warned to harm anyone who does vote.

Since 2017, those working toward a breakaway state have been clashing with state security.

The conflict has to date resulted in at no fewer than six thousand individuals and compelled approximately five hundred thousand residents from their houses.

Vote Outcome

Once polling concludes, the highest court has fifteen days to announce the results.

The government official has earlier advised that no candidate is permitted to declare victory in advance.

"Individuals who will seek to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the regulations of the nation would have violated boundaries and must prepare to receive penalties appropriate for their offense."