Will the planet's most aged president retain the title and woo a country of youthful voters?

The planet's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The 92-year-old has stayed in office for over four decades - an additional seven-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years until he will be almost a century old.

Election Controversies

He ignored numerous appeals to step down and drew backlash for making merely one rally, devoting much of the political race on a ten-day personal visit to the European continent.

A backlash regarding his reliance on an AI-generated political commercial, as his opponents sought constituents in person, prompted his quick return north on his return home.

Youth Voters and Unemployment

It means that for the vast majority of the people, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are younger than the age of 25.

Youthful campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "new blood" as she believes "prolonged leadership inevitably leads to a sort of laziness".

"After 43 years, the people are exhausted," she declares.

Young people's joblessness has become a particular issue of concern for nearly all the contenders participating in the vote.

Approximately forty percent of youthful Cameroonians between 15 and 35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth experiencing problems in obtaining formal employment.

Opposition Contenders

Beyond young people's job issues, the election system has also stirred debate, especially with the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the election contest.

The removal, approved by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a strategy to block any strong challenge to President Biya.

Twelve candidates were approved to vie for the leadership position, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - the two former Biya associates from the north of the nation.

Election Difficulties

In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and Southwest areas, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an poll avoidance restriction has been enforced, stopping commercial operations, travel and learning.

Insurgents who have imposed it have promised to attack individuals who casts a ballot.

Starting four years ago, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been clashing with government forces.

The fighting has to date resulted in at least six thousand people and compelled approximately 500,000 people from their houses.

Vote Outcome

Following the election, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to announce the outcome.

The government official has earlier advised that none of the contenders is authorized to claim success beforehand.

"Those who will seek to announce results of the political race or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the regulations of the country would have crossed the red line and must prepare to encounter penalties appropriate for their violation."