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This world's most aged leader - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's electorate "the best is still to come" as he aims for his eighth consecutive presidential term this weekend.

The 92-year-old has already been in power for over four decades - another 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century reaching almost a century old.

Election Issues

He resisted numerous appeals to step down and has been criticised for attending just one rally, devoting much of the campaign period on a 10-day private trip to Europe.

Negative reaction regarding his reliance on an AI-generated election advertisement, as his opponents courted voters in person, led to his hurried travel to the northern region on his return home.

Young Voters and Joblessness

This indicates for the great bulk of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - above 60% of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are under the quarter century mark.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "new blood" as she thinks "prolonged leadership naturally results in a sort of laziness".

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

Youth unemployment has been a specific issue of concern for the majority of the candidates running in the election.

Nearly 40% of young Cameroonians between 15 to 35 years are unemployed, with 23% of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in securing formal employment.

Opposition Contenders

In addition to youth unemployment, the election system has generated dispute, especially with the disqualification of a political rival from the presidential race.

His exclusion, upheld by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a tactic to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.

12 contenders were approved to compete for the leadership position, featuring a former minister and Bello Bouba Maigari - the two former Biya colleagues from the northern region of the country.

Election Difficulties

In Cameroon's Anglophone Northwest and South-West regions, where a protracted rebellion ongoing, an poll avoidance restriction has been enforced, halting commercial operations, movement and education.

Rebel groups who have established it have promised to target anyone who participates.

Since 2017, those working toward a breakaway state have been battling government forces.

The conflict has until now caused the deaths of at minimum 6,000 individuals and compelled nearly 500,000 people from their homes.

Vote Outcome

Following the election, the Constitutional Council has fifteen days to reveal the results.

The government official has already warned that no candidate is authorized to claim success beforehand.

"Individuals who will try to announce results of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the regulations of the country would have crossed the red line and should be ready to receive consequences appropriate for their offense."