🔗 Share this article

This world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his 8th straight term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has stayed in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year term could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost 100.

Election Controversies

He defied widespread calls to leave office and has been criticised for only showing up for one public appearance, spending most of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.

Negative reaction concerning his reliance on an artificial intelligence created political commercial, as his opponents courted supporters on the ground, led to his hurried travel north after coming back.

Young Voters and Joblessness

It means that for the great bulk of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - over 60% of Cameroon's thirty million inhabitants are below the age of 25.

Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "different faces" as she thinks "longevity in power typically causes a kind of complacency".

"Following four decades, the people are exhausted," she says.

Youth unemployment has been a specific discussion topic for the majority of the candidates competing in the vote.

Almost 40% of youthful residents between 15 to 35 years are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth facing challenges in finding official jobs.

Rival Candidates

Beyond youth unemployment, the voting procedure has created controversy, especially with the removal of a political rival from the leadership competition.

The disqualification, upheld by the highest court, was widely criticised as a tactic to prevent any serious competition to President Biya.

12 contenders were authorized to vie for the leadership position, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - each former Biya colleagues from the north of the nation.

Election Challenges

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest regions, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an election boycott restriction has been imposed, stopping economic functions, transport and learning.

The separatists who have established it have warned to target anyone who participates.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been fighting state security.

The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at least 6k people and compelled almost 500,000 residents from their residences.

Vote Outcome

Following the election, the legal body has 15 days to announce the outcome.

The security chief has already warned that none of the contenders is allowed to announce winning beforehand.

"Individuals who will try to announce results of the political race or any unofficial win announcement in violation of the laws of the nation would have violated boundaries and must prepare to face consequences matching their offense."