Can this planet's oldest president retain his position and woo a nation of youthful voters?
The planet's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's voters "the best is still to come" as he seeks his eighth consecutive presidential term on Sunday.
The nonagenarian has remained in power for over four decades - an additional 7-year mandate could see him rule for half a century until he will be almost a century old.
Election Issues
He ignored numerous appeals to resign and has been criticised for only showing up for a single campaign event, spending most of the political race on a 10-day private trip to Europe.
A backlash concerning his use of an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers actively wooed voters directly, prompted his quick return to the northern region upon his arrival.
Youth Voters and Joblessness
It means that for the large portion of the population, Biya is the only president they remember - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are below the 25 years old.
Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "new blood" as she believes "longevity in power typically causes a type of laziness".
"Following four decades, the people are exhausted," she says.
Youth unemployment has been a particular talking point for the majority of the aspirants competing in the political race.
Approximately forty percent of youthful Cameroonians between 15 and 35 are jobless, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in obtaining formal employment.
Rival Contenders
In addition to youth unemployment, the electoral process has also stirred debate, especially with the disqualification of a political rival from the presidential race.
The disqualification, approved by the Constitutional Council, was widely criticised as a strategy to prevent any significant opposition to the incumbent.
A dozen aspirants were approved to contest for the country's top job, featuring Issa Tchiroma Bakary and a previous supporter - each ex- Biya associates from the northern region of the country.
Voting Difficulties
Within the nation's Anglophone Northwest and Southwest regions, where a protracted separatist conflict continues, an election boycott closure has been established, halting commercial operations, travel and schooling.
The separatists who have imposed it have warned to target anyone who does vote.
Beginning in 2017, those seeking to create a independent territory have been fighting official military.
The fighting has so far resulted in at minimum 6k people and caused almost half a million residents from their residences.
Election Results
After Sunday's vote, the legal body has fifteen days to reveal the results.
The interior minister has previously cautioned that none of the contenders is permitted to announce winning beforehand.
"Those who will try to announce results of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the rules of the nation would have violated boundaries and must prepare to receive retaliatory measures matching their crime."
