🔗 Share this article Will this planet's most aged president retain the title and attract a nation of youthful voters? This world's oldest head of state - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged the nation's voters "better days are ahead" as he seeks his 8th straight term in office this weekend. The nonagenarian has remained in office for over four decades - an additional 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century reaching almost 100. Election Issues He resisted widespread calls to step down and faced criticism for attending just one public appearance, spending most of the election season on a 10-day personal visit to Europe. A backlash regarding his dependence on an AI-generated political commercial, as his opponents sought constituents on the ground, led to his hurried travel north after coming back. Young Voters and Unemployment It means that for the large portion of the citizenry, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - more than 60% of the nation's thirty million inhabitants are under the quarter century mark. Youthful advocate Marie Flore Mboussi strongly desires "fresh leadership" as she maintains "prolonged leadership naturally results in a sort of inertia". "After 43 years, the people are exhausted," she says. Young people's joblessness has become a notable discussion topic for most of the contenders running in the election. Almost 40% of young citizens aged from 15 and 35 are without work, with 23% of young graduates experiencing problems in securing official jobs. Rival Candidates In addition to young people's job issues, the voting procedure has also stirred debate, especially with the disqualification of Maurice Kamto from the election contest. The disqualification, upheld by the legal authority, was generally denounced as a tactic to block any significant opposition to President Biya. Twelve aspirants were approved to vie for the country's top job, including an ex-government official and another former ally - each former Biya colleagues from the northern region of the nation. Election Difficulties In Cameroon's Anglophone North-West and Southwest territories, where a long-running insurgency ongoing, an voting prohibition lockdown has been imposed, stopping commercial operations, movement and education. Rebel groups who have established it have warned to harm individuals who does vote. Since 2017, those attempting to establish a separate nation have been battling government forces. The conflict has to date resulted in at least 6k people and caused nearly five hundred thousand others from their residences. Election Results Following the election, the highest court has fifteen days to declare the outcome. The interior minister has already warned that none of the contenders is authorized to declare victory beforehand. "Those who will try to announce results of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the rules of the republic would have violated boundaries and should be ready to encounter penalties appropriate for their offense."