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The world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he aims for his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The elderly leader has remained in power for over four decades - another 7-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years making him almost 100.

Campaign Issues

He ignored broad demands to resign and drew backlash for making merely a single campaign event, spending most of the election season on a ten-day private trip to Europe.

Negative reaction concerning his use of an AI-generated campaign video, as his rivals actively wooed voters directly, saw him rush to the northern region on his return home.

Youth Population and Joblessness

This indicates for the large portion of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - above sixty percent of the nation's thirty million people are under the 25 years old.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she believes "prolonged leadership inevitably leads to a kind of laziness".

"After 43 years, the people are tired," she states.

Employment challenges for youth has become a particular issue of concern for most of the contenders competing in the vote.

Approximately 40% of youthful Cameroonians between 15-35 are jobless, with 23% of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in finding formal employment.

Opposition Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred controversy, especially with the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, confirmed by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a ploy to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.

Twelve aspirants were authorized to contest for the leadership position, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - both ex- Biya associates from the northern region of the nation.

Voting Challenges

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest regions, where a extended insurgency persists, an voting prohibition closure has been imposed, paralysing economic functions, transport and schooling.

Insurgents who have established it have warned to target people who participates.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been clashing with government forces.

The fighting has until now killed at least 6,000 lives and compelled almost 500,000 people from their houses.

Election Results

Following the election, the legal body has fifteen days to declare the findings.

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

"Individuals who will seek to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the rules of the republic would have crossed the red line and should be ready to encounter consequences appropriate for their crime."