🔗 Share this article Will the world's oldest leader keep his title and attract a nation of youthful electorate? The planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend. The 92-year-old has already been in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year term could keep him in power for half a century reaching almost a century old. Election Controversies He defied widespread calls to leave office and faced criticism for attending just one public appearance, using the majority of the political race on a week-and-a-half private trip to the European continent. Criticism over his dependence on an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers courted constituents directly, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival. Young Population and Joblessness Consequently for the large portion of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they experienced - over 60% of Cameroon's 30 million people are under the quarter century mark. Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she maintains "extended rule typically causes a sort of laziness". "After 43 years, the citizens are exhausted," she says. Young people's joblessness remains a notable issue of concern for nearly all the contenders participating in the vote. Almost 40% of youthful Cameroonians between 15-35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth facing challenges in obtaining formal employment. Rival Contenders In addition to young people's job issues, the electoral process has also stirred debate, particularly regarding the removal of a political rival from the election contest. The disqualification, confirmed by the legal authority, was generally denounced as a tactic to block any strong challenge to the incumbent. A dozen aspirants were cleared to compete for the leadership position, comprising an ex-government official and another former ally - both ex- Biya allies from the northern region of the nation. Voting Difficulties Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and South-West areas, where a long-running separatist conflict persists, an voting prohibition closure has been enforced, halting commercial operations, travel and learning. Insurgents who have enforced it have promised to attack individuals who casts a ballot. Since 2017, those working toward a breakaway state have been battling state security. The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at least six thousand individuals and compelled nearly 500,000 people from their houses. Vote Outcome Once polling concludes, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to announce the results. The interior minister has already warned that no aspirant is allowed to announce winning in advance. "Those who will attempt to declare outcomes of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success contrary to the laws of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to face penalties commensurate to their offense."