In Cameroon, voters are heading to the polls to elect a new president. The country's long-time leader, Paul Biya, is still in the running and is expected to win his eighth term. His reign of more than 40 years has been marred by allegations of intimidation of the opposition and corruption.

Yaoundé

President Paul Biya, who has led Cameroon for over four decades, is seeking another term in office at the age of 92. His campaign has been minimal, with only one public event, yet he remains confident in his prospects. Reports indicate that some attendees at campaign events were given cash and goods, a practice that has been observed in previous elections. 

The opposition faces significant challenges, with prominent leader Maurice Kamto barred from running and his supporters facing police disruption. Human rights groups have criticized the exclusion of opposition candidates, raising concerns about the credibility of the election. Despite the presence of 11 other candidates, the anti-Biya vote is fragmented. If re-elected, Biya could remain in office until the age of 99.

Will 92-year-old Biya win Cameroon's presidency again?

Poor Bia is clearly a man who thinks he'll be winning, whatever happens on election day. This was his sole campaign event since announcing his candidacy. Speaking in Marua, he had this to say. My aim, my dear compatriots, is that every young person, wherever they are, should have the opportunities to easily find a job or become an entrepreneur. It's a tried and tested method. He did the same last time. One event and back to the presidential palace. So what reasons does he have to be so certain? We filmed young people being handed cash in exchange for their participation at a campaign event in Boya. This man was one of them. They're giving a three pound plus t-shirt. That's the cash equivalent of about five euros. But videos like these have been circulated for years on social media. People have been enticed by food and money to attend events held by the ruling party. Members of Poor Bia gathered for his party's pre-election rally look less enthusiastic. But not all of them came for the money they were promised. Some are here because they like the Cameroonian president. Bia does have diehard followers. At campaign rallies, supporters sing his praises. Although Poor Bia isn't even present at this event, having sent the Cameroonian prime minister instead. I asked him why they want their leader to extend his 42 year reign. As we often say, if you have a cocoa tree and it produces cocoa beans, the older the tree, the better the fruit. You will appreciate it all the more. There will be no question of cutting it down because the older it is, the more mature it is and the better its yield. That is why we believe that President Poor Bia is indeed mature, but we trust him. Because maturity comes with knowledge, wisdom and a clear vision of what he intends to do for Cameroon. But what Bia's Cameroon looks like is clear from the handling of this pre-election gathering by supporters of his main challenger, opposition leader Maurice Kamto. He was disrupted by police. Kamto was prevented from leaving his home. Months later, he was barred from running for the election. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, criticise the exclusion of the opposition leader, arguing that he undermines the credibility and fairness of the election. But 11 other candidates are in the race to unseat the incumbent, dividing the anti-Bia vote. Amongst them are two former ministers. But the opposition broadly agree that Bia is no longer fit to lead the country. Right now we need change. Cameroon carries a lot of wealth that's not exploited. And even if it is exploited, we do not see the benefits. That's to say a lot of young people don't work, yet there are intellectuals, a lot of them. We cannot talk about corruption, there's banditry, there's filth, there are so many things to be fixed. Even so, Bia is expected to win the election. If he does, he will be eligible to remain in office until he is 99 years old.

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