Can the planet's most aged leader retain his position and attract a country of youthful electorate?
This planet's oldest leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "the future holds promise" as he pursues his eighth straight presidential term on Sunday.
The 92-year-old has stayed in office for over four decades - an additional seven-year mandate could extend his reign for 50 years reaching almost 100.
Campaign Issues
He resisted numerous appeals to resign and faced criticism for making merely one public appearance, devoting much of the election season on a ten-day personal visit to Europe.
Criticism over his use of an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers sought constituents on the ground, saw him rush north upon his arrival.
Youth Voters and Unemployment
This indicates for the large portion of the people, Biya remains the sole leader they have known - more than sixty percent of Cameroon's thirty million residents are below the 25 years old.
Young advocate Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she believes "prolonged leadership inevitably leads to a kind of laziness".
"After 43 years, the people are tired," she states.
Youth unemployment has become a specific issue of concern for most of the aspirants participating in the election.
Nearly forty percent of youthful Cameroonians between 15-35 are unemployed, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in securing official jobs.
Rival Candidates
Beyond young people's job issues, the electoral process has also stirred debate, particularly regarding the removal of a political rival from the presidential race.
The removal, confirmed by the highest court, was widely criticised as a ploy to prevent any significant opposition to President Biya.
12 candidates were approved to compete for the country's top job, comprising an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - each previous Biya colleagues from the northern region of the country.
Election Difficulties
Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and Southwest territories, where a extended rebellion continues, an election boycott restriction has been imposed, paralysing business activities, transport and schooling.
The separatists who have imposed it have promised to harm individuals who does vote.
Beginning in 2017, those working toward a independent territory have been fighting government forces.
The violence has until now resulted in at no fewer than 6k individuals and forced nearly 500,000 others from their homes.
Vote Outcome
After Sunday's vote, the legal body has two weeks to declare the outcome.
The security chief has already warned that none of the contenders is allowed to announce winning in advance.
"Those who will attempt to reveal findings of the presidential election or any personal declaration of success in violation of the laws of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to face retaliatory measures appropriate for their violation."
