Cameroon heads to the polls in what many see as a defining moment for one of Africa’s oldest leaders and one of the continent’s youngest electorates. The 92-year-old incumbent, Paul Biya, is running again after more than 40 years in power.

Yaoundé

Voters in Cameroon are participating in a presidential election during a period of significant economic hardship. Many citizens report struggling to meet basic needs such as food, water, and electricity, and blame political leaders for the country's economic situation. The election features a contest between the long-standing ruling elite and a younger population seeking jobs and reforms. While incumbent President Paul Biya is among the candidates, a notable opposition figure, Maurice Camto, has been barred from running. The campaign has highlighted issues of succession, leadership, and ethnic divisions within the opposition. Although the government has promised a fair election, there are concerns about unrest following the announcement of results. For many young voters, the election represents a broader desire for generational change in leadership.

Cameroon voters heads to polls amid economic hardship

For 25 years, Christian Camus has been mending shoes. The father of four says he can barely earn enough to feed his family. And like millions of Cameroonians, he blames politicians for the state of the economy. I want our roads to be fixed. I want water. I want electricity and food. These are basics the political leadership should be able to guarantee citizens. This election pits generations against each other. Generations of Cameroon's long-ruling elite against a restless young population demanding jobs, reforms and change. At the city's markets, frustration runs deep. I don't trust politicians. The only being I trust is God. I go to school to get a job, not to come by job to give commission to get a job. Many voters say they will turn up at polling stations to make their anger heard. But although incumbent President Paul Biya is one of 12 candidates on the ballot, his old rival Maurice Camto has been barred from running. Cameroon's presidential campaign has rekindled old questions about succession and leadership. But more pressing for millions of voters are a cost of living crisis, the conflict with separatists in the English-speaking region of Cameroon, and a shortage of investment in critical sectors of the economy. Opposition parties remain divided, weakened by infighting and ethnic rivalries. Such sociological partitioning inevitably brings tribalism into politics. Since they do not get along ethnically, they cannot agree politically. Opposition figures accuse the ruling party of tightening its grip on state institutions. The government insists the election will be fair. The campaign has been largely peaceful, but its tone has raised fears of unrest after results are announced, something the government says it is ready to handle. People will be crying and saying that, but I say if you want to cry, stay home and cry. We don't want to see people on the streets. So I think that you just have some small voices or some people who are irresponsible who say that if it's not like this, it will go that way. No. They will face the heavy arm of the administration. For many young people across the region, this vote is about more than who wins power. It's about whether Africa's ageing leaders can make space for a new generation eager to shape their own future. Ahmed Idris, Al Jazeera, Yaoundé, Cameroon.

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