YAUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — cameroon Voting in Sunday’s election could see Africa’s oldest leader extend his rule for another seven years.
Analysts predict victory President Paul Biya. He is currently 92 years old, but will be 99 by the end of his term. He first came to power in 1982 following the resignation of Cameroon’s first president, Ahmadou Ahidjo, and has ruled the country ever since. Mr. Biya was declared the winner of seven subsequent elections. Cameroon has had only two leaders since independence in 1960.
his health He is a constant topic of speculation as he leaves day-to-day governance to top party officials and family members and spends most of his time in Europe.
In announcing his candidacy again, Mr. Biya said, “The challenges we face are becoming increasingly urgent in an increasingly difficult international environment.” “In these circumstances, I cannot avoid my mission.”
Biya will face off against nine opposition candidates, including some former allies and appointees. These include Bello Buba Maigari, who served as Minister of Tourism, and Issa Ciroma Bakari, who most recently served as Minister of Employment.
Mr. Biya voted at an elementary school in the capital, Yaounde, and told reporters he would not comment on his plans until the results were in.
In Cameroon, there is only one vote and the person with the most votes is the winner.
Chukam Ginet, a 34-year-old environmental activist and first-time voter, said he would not choose Mr Biya.
“Things have to change. First of all, life costs money. Healthcare is not easy to access,” she said outside a polling station in Yaoundé. “There are no roads, there are potholes everywhere. Everything is ruined. That’s why I voted for the opposition. We know our country, so we have no confidence in the electoral process, but we have hope.”
in campaign rally Mr. Biya was in the northern city of Maroua last week, pledging changes to one of Cameroon’s poorest regions. Maigari and Bakari have strong supporters in the Muslim-majority north, where they make up nearly 20% of voters.
Cameroon is facing an escalating security crisis. In the western region, a secession war is being waged between government forces and mainly English-speaking separatists who say they are alienated from the French-speaking majority. In the north, Boko Haram The insurgency has spilled over from neighboring Nigeria, with armed groups regularly attacking border towns.
The United Nations estimates that at least 43% of the population lives in poverty, as measured by core living standards such as income, education and health.
Some 8 million voters, including more than 34,000 overseas voters, are eligible to vote at more than 31,000 polling stations in the central African country. Cameroon has a population of over 29 million people, the majority of whom are young people.
Voting is scheduled to end at 6pm, and results are expected to be known by October 26th at the latest.
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McMakin reported from Dakar, Senegal.
