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This world's oldest head of state - nonagenarian Paul Biya - has promised Cameroon's voters "the future holds promise" as he seeks his eighth straight term in office this weekend.

The nonagenarian has stayed in power for over four decades - an additional 7-year mandate could extend his reign for half a century until he will be almost 100.

Election Issues

He defied broad demands to resign and has been criticised for making merely one public appearance, using the majority of the political race on a 10-day private trip to Europe.

Negative reaction regarding his reliance on an AI-generated political commercial, as his challengers actively wooed constituents in person, prompted his quick return north on his return home.

Youth Population and Unemployment

This indicates for the vast majority of the citizenry, Biya is the only president they remember - above 60% of the nation's thirty million inhabitants are under the 25 years old.

Young political activist Marie Flore Mboussi urgently wants "new blood" as she maintains "prolonged leadership typically causes a sort of inertia".

"With 43 years passed, the population are weary," she states.

Youth unemployment remains a specific discussion topic for most of the candidates running in the political race.

Almost forty percent of young Cameroonians between 15 and 35 are jobless, with twenty-three percent of recent graduates experiencing problems in finding regular work.

Rival Contenders

In addition to young people's job issues, the election system has also stirred controversy, particularly regarding the exclusion of an opposition leader from the election contest.

The disqualification, confirmed by the legal authority, was widely criticised as a ploy to stop any strong challenge to President Biya.

A dozen aspirants were approved to vie for the presidency, comprising a former minister and another former ally - each ex- Biya colleagues from the northern region of the country.

Election Difficulties

In Cameroon's English-speaking North-West and South-West regions, where a extended insurgency continues, an election boycott closure has been established, stopping business activities, transport and schooling.

Rebel groups who have imposed it have promised to target individuals who casts a ballot.

Beginning in 2017, those working toward a separate nation have been battling government forces.

The fighting has so far caused the deaths of at minimum six thousand people and caused approximately half a million others from their homes.

Vote Outcome

Following the election, the highest court has fifteen days to announce the outcome.

The government official has previously cautioned that no aspirant is allowed to claim success prior to official results.

"Those who will try to announce results of the political race or any self-proclaimed victory in violation of the regulations of the nation would have crossed the red line and should be ready to receive consequences appropriate for their offense."