Will the planet's oldest president keep his title and woo a nation of youthful electorate?
This world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has assured Cameroon's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his 8th straight presidential term on Sunday.
The 92-year-old has already been in power for over four decades - another seven-year term could extend his reign for half a century making him almost 100.
Campaign Controversies
He resisted widespread calls to resign and has been criticised for only showing up for one public appearance, spending most of the election season on a ten-day unofficial journey to Europe.
Criticism concerning his dependence on an AI-generated election advertisement, as his opponents courted supporters in person, prompted his quick return north on his return home.
Young Population and Unemployment
Consequently for the great bulk of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million inhabitants are below the age of 25.
Youthful political activist Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "fresh leadership" as she thinks "prolonged leadership typically causes a sort of complacency".
"After 43 years, the people are tired," she declares.
Employment challenges for youth remains a notable talking point for most of the candidates competing in the election.
Almost forty percent of young residents aged from 15-35 are without work, with 23% of college-educated youth encountering difficulties in securing formal employment.
Rival Contenders
In addition to young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred debate, particularly regarding the removal of a political rival from the presidential race.
The removal, confirmed by the legal authority, was broadly condemned as a tactic to prevent any significant opposition to the current leader.
12 candidates were authorized to compete for the leadership position, comprising a former minister and Bello Bouba Maigari - each ex- Biya allies from the north of the nation.
Voting Difficulties
In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and Southwest areas, where a long-running separatist conflict ongoing, an election boycott restriction has been imposed, stopping business activities, movement and education.
Rebel groups who have established it have threatened to target individuals who participates.
Since 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been clashing with official military.
The violence has to date killed at minimum 6,000 people and caused almost half a million residents from their homes.
Election Results
Following the election, the highest court has 15 days to announce the findings.
The security chief has already warned that no candidate is allowed to claim success prior to official results.
"Those who will try to reveal findings of the political race or any self-proclaimed victory against the laws of the republic would have violated boundaries and must prepare to face retaliatory measures matching their offense."
