Will this world's oldest leader retain the position and attract a nation of youthful voters?

The planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he aims for his 8th consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The 92-year-old has remained in power since 1982 - an additional seven-year term could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost a century old.

Campaign Controversies

He defied widespread calls to leave office and faced criticism for making merely one rally, spending most of the campaign period on a week-and-a-half unofficial journey to Europe.

Criticism over his reliance on an computer-generated election advertisement, as his challengers sought supporters directly, led to his hurried travel north upon his arrival.

Youth Population and Joblessness

Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya is the only president they experienced - over sixty percent of the nation's 30 million inhabitants are below the quarter century mark.

Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she maintains "prolonged leadership typically causes a sort of complacency".

"Following four decades, the people are tired," she states.

Employment challenges for youth has been a notable talking point for most of the aspirants participating in the election.

Almost forty percent of young residents aged from 15-35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates encountering difficulties in obtaining regular work.

Opposition Candidates

Beyond young people's job issues, the election system has generated dispute, notably concerning the exclusion of an opposition leader from the presidential race.

The disqualification, approved by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a ploy to block any strong challenge to the current leader.

A dozen aspirants were cleared to compete for the country's top job, including an ex-government official and another former ally - each previous Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.

Election Difficulties

In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest areas, where a extended insurgency continues, an election boycott lockdown has been imposed, stopping economic functions, transport and learning.

Rebel groups who have enforced it have warned to harm people who does vote.

Since 2017, those attempting to establish a breakaway state have been fighting official military.

The conflict has until now resulted in at no fewer than 6k individuals and compelled nearly half a million people from their houses.

Vote Outcome

Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has fifteen days to declare the outcome.

The interior minister has previously cautioned that no candidate is allowed to announce winning prior to official results.

"Individuals who will try to announce results of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the laws of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to receive retaliatory measures commensurate to their crime."