Can the planet's oldest leader keep the position and attract a nation of young electorate?

The planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he seeks his eighth consecutive term in office this weekend.

The elderly leader has remained in power for over four decades - another seven-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years making him almost 100.

Election Controversies

He defied numerous appeals to step down and has been criticised for only showing up for one rally, spending most of the election season on a week-and-a-half personal visit to the European continent.

Criticism concerning his dependence on an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers sought constituents directly, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.

Young Population and Unemployment

It means that for the large portion of the population, Biya is the only president they remember - above 60% of Cameroon's 30 million residents are below the quarter century mark.

Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "different faces" as she maintains "prolonged leadership typically causes a type of complacency".

"With 43 years passed, the citizens are weary," she states.

Employment challenges for youth has been a particular issue of concern for the majority of the aspirants participating in the political race.

Almost 40% of young residents aged from 15-35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in obtaining formal employment.

Rival Candidates

Apart from youth unemployment, the election system has also stirred dispute, particularly regarding the disqualification of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, confirmed by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a tactic to prevent any strong challenge to the incumbent.

A dozen contenders were cleared to vie for the country's top job, including a former minister and a previous supporter - both former Biya allies from the north of the nation.

Voting Difficulties

In Cameroon's Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions, where a protracted insurgency continues, an poll avoidance closure has been imposed, paralysing business activities, travel and education.

Insurgents who have enforced it have threatened to attack people who casts a ballot.

Starting four years ago, those working toward a breakaway state have been fighting official military.

The violence has to date resulted in at least six thousand individuals and forced nearly five hundred thousand residents from their homes.

Vote Outcome

Once polling concludes, the legal body has 15 days to reveal the results.

The interior minister has previously cautioned that no aspirant is permitted to declare victory in advance.

"Candidates who will try to announce results of the political race or any personal declaration of success in violation of the laws of the country would have crossed the red line and need to be prepared to face retaliatory measures matching their crime."