Cameroonians are voting in presidential elections where โขincumbent Paul Biya, aged 92, โขseeks an unprecedented eighth term in office. The election โคtakes place against a โขbackdrop of ongoing unrest and economic hardship in the Central Africanโ nation.
Biya has been president of Cameroon as 1982, making him โฃone of the world’s longest-ruling leaders. His potential victory would extend his tenure for another five years, continuing a reign that began shortly after Cameroon gained independence from France in 1960. However, the election is being boycotted by English-speaking separatists, reflecting โฃdeep-seated tensions within the country. These โขdivisions, coupled with widespread poverty – nearly halfโข the population lives onโค less than $2 a day – present notable challenges for Cameroon’s future. Results are anticipated within โtwo weeks, and will indicate whether Biya can maintain his decades-long โคgrip on power amidst growingโค discontent.