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This world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised the nation's voters "the future holds promise" as he pursues his 8th straight term in office this weekend.

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

Campaign Issues

He resisted widespread calls to resign and faced criticism for attending just one public appearance, devoting much of the campaign period on a ten-day personal visit to the European continent.

Criticism over his dependence on an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers courted supporters in person, prompted his quick return to the northern region on his return home.

Youth Voters and Joblessness

It means that for the large portion of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - above 60% of Cameroon's thirty million people are younger than the age of 25.

Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "fresh leadership" as she believes "longevity in power typically causes a type of inertia".

"After 43 years, the citizens are tired," she says.

Youth unemployment has become a specific talking point for most of the aspirants participating in the election.

Almost forty percent of youthful citizens between 15 to 35 years are without work, with twenty-three percent of young graduates facing challenges in finding official jobs.

Opposition Contenders

Apart from young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred debate, notably concerning the exclusion of an opposition leader from the presidential race.

The disqualification, upheld by the Constitutional Council, was broadly condemned as a tactic to stop any significant opposition to the current leader.

12 aspirants were approved to compete for the country's top job, featuring a former minister and Bello Bouba Maigari - both ex- Biya associates from the northern region of the nation.

Election Difficulties

In Cameroon's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions, where a extended separatist conflict continues, an voting prohibition closure has been established, paralysing commercial operations, transport and education.

Insurgents who have established it have threatened to attack people who does vote.

Since 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been clashing with state security.

The fighting has until now caused the deaths of at minimum 6,000 individuals and caused approximately five hundred thousand people from their houses.

Election Results

After Sunday's vote, the legal body has 15 days to reveal the outcome.

The security chief has earlier advised that none of the contenders is authorized to declare victory prior to official results.

"Those who will try to announce results of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory against the laws of the nation would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to receive consequences matching their crime."