Can this world's oldest leader keep the position and woo a country of youthful electorate?

This planet's most aged head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has assured the nation's electorate "better days are ahead" as he pursues his eighth straight term in office on Sunday.

The nonagenarian has remained in power for over four decades - another seven-year term could keep him in power for 50 years reaching almost a century old.

Campaign Controversies

He resisted widespread calls to leave office and drew backlash for only showing up for one public appearance, using the majority of the campaign period on a ten-day personal visit to the European continent.

Negative reaction regarding his use of an AI-generated political commercial, as his challengers actively wooed voters directly, prompted his quick return to the northern region after coming back.

Young Voters and Unemployment

Consequently for the vast majority of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they experienced - over 60% of Cameroon's thirty million people are under the quarter century mark.

Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "different faces" as she believes "extended rule inevitably leads to a sort of inertia".

"Following four decades, the population are weary," she declares.

Youth unemployment has been a specific issue of concern for nearly all the candidates participating in the political race.

Nearly forty percent of young Cameroonians between 15-35 are unemployed, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates experiencing problems in securing formal employment.

Opposition Contenders

Beyond youth unemployment, the electoral process has generated debate, particularly regarding the exclusion of an opposition leader from the leadership competition.

His exclusion, approved by the highest court, was generally denounced as a strategy to stop any strong challenge to President Biya.

Twelve contenders were authorized to compete for the presidency, comprising a former minister and another former ally - both former Biya allies from the north of the country.

Election Difficulties

Within the nation's English-speaking North-West and South-West territories, where a long-running separatist conflict continues, an voting prohibition closure has been imposed, stopping economic functions, travel and schooling.

Rebel groups who have enforced it have promised to harm anyone who casts a ballot.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been battling state security.

The conflict has so far caused the deaths of at minimum six thousand lives and compelled nearly half a million people from their houses.

Election Results

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

The interior minister has already warned that no aspirant is permitted to announce winning prior to official results.

"Individuals who will seek to reveal findings of the presidential election or any unofficial win announcement contrary to the rules of the nation would have violated boundaries and must prepare to encounter retaliatory measures matching their offense."