🔗 Share this article Will the world's oldest president keep his position and attract a nation of young electorate? This world's most aged leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he seeks his 8th straight presidential term this weekend. The elderly leader has already been in power since 1982 - an additional 7-year term could extend his reign for 50 years reaching almost a century old. Campaign Controversies He ignored broad demands to resign and drew backlash for only showing up for a single campaign event, using the majority of the campaign period on a 10-day private trip to the European continent. A backlash over his use of an AI-generated election advertisement, as his rivals sought supporters directly, saw him rush to the northern region on his return home. Youth Voters and Joblessness Consequently for the large portion of the citizenry, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they remember - above 60% of the nation's thirty million residents are younger than the age of 25. Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she thinks "longevity in power typically causes a type of complacency". "After 43 years, the population are tired," she declares. Young people's joblessness remains a notable issue of concern for the majority of the candidates participating in the vote. Almost 40% of youthful Cameroonians between 15-35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of young graduates encountering difficulties in securing formal employment. Rival Candidates Apart from youth unemployment, the voting procedure has generated controversy, particularly regarding the disqualification of an opposition leader from the presidential race. The removal, upheld by the highest court, was widely criticised as a strategy to stop any significant opposition to the incumbent. A dozen contenders were authorized to vie for the leadership position, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and Bello Bouba Maigari - the two previous Biya associates from the northern region of the country. Election Difficulties Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and South-West regions, where a long-running insurgency persists, an election boycott restriction has been enforced, paralysing business activities, movement and learning. Insurgents who have imposed it have promised to attack anyone who participates. Starting four years ago, those working toward a breakaway state have been battling state security. The violence has so far resulted in at least 6,000 people and forced approximately half a million people from their homes. Vote Outcome After Sunday's vote, the Constitutional Council has two weeks to declare the findings. The government official has earlier advised that no candidate is authorized to claim success beforehand. "Those who will seek to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any personal declaration of success against the rules of the nation would have violated boundaries and need to be prepared to receive retaliatory measures appropriate for their offense."