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The world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's electorate "the best is still to come" as he aims for his 8th straight presidential term this weekend.

The nonagenarian has already been in office since 1982 - another seven-year term could keep him in power for 50 years making him almost 100.

Campaign Controversies

He defied broad demands to leave office and has been criticised for attending just a single campaign event, devoting much of the campaign period on a 10-day private trip to the European continent.

A backlash regarding his reliance on an AI-generated political commercial, as his opponents courted supporters on the ground, prompted his quick return north upon his arrival.

Young Voters and Joblessness

This indicates for the great bulk of the population, Biya has been the exclusive ruler they experienced - above sixty percent of Cameroon's 30 million residents are under the age of 25.

Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "different faces" as she believes "longevity in power typically causes a sort of laziness".

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

Youth unemployment has become a particular talking point for the majority of the candidates running in the vote.

Approximately 40% of youthful Cameroonians aged from 15 to 35 years are jobless, with 23% of college-educated youth facing challenges in obtaining regular work.

Rival Contenders

Apart from youth unemployment, the electoral process has generated debate, notably concerning the disqualification of an opposition leader from the presidential race.

His exclusion, approved by the highest court, was broadly condemned as a ploy to block any significant opposition to President Biya.

12 contenders were authorized to vie for the presidency, comprising a former minister and another former ally - each former Biya allies from the northern region of the nation.

Voting Difficulties

Within the nation's Anglophone North-West and Southwest areas, where a protracted insurgency persists, an voting prohibition closure has been established, halting economic functions, movement and learning.

Rebel groups who have enforced it have threatened to target individuals who participates.

Beginning in 2017, those attempting to establish a independent territory have been fighting government forces.

The violence has to date killed at least 6k individuals and compelled approximately half a million residents from their houses.

Vote Outcome

After Sunday's vote, the highest court has fifteen days to declare the outcome.

The interior minister has already warned that no aspirant is allowed to announce winning beforehand.

"Candidates who will try to announce results of the political race or any personal declaration of success contrary to the regulations of the republic would have broken rules and must prepare to encounter retaliatory measures commensurate to their crime."