The world’s oldest head of state, Paul Biya made his first public appearance since campaigns began in Cameroon ahead of the country’s presidential elections on October 12.
Amid family controversies with his daughter asking voters not to retain her father, Paul Biya, a visibly frail 92-year-old, appealed to voters to retain him saying his determination to serve remains “intact.”
“I ask you once again for your precious support. My goal is for every young person, wherever they are, to easily find a job or start a business,” Biya told a crowd of supporters at a rally by the ruling government.
Biya’s former allies, appointed ministers under his nearly 4 decades tenure, are among 10 people competing in the high-stakes elections.
Polls tip Issa Tchiroma Bakari, a former minister of employment as his closest contender after the elimination of Maurice Kamto from the race.
The world’s fifth largest cocoa exporter faces significant economic and security challenges; two key voters’ concerns ahead of polls.
Many are, however, worried whether the 2025 election will be free and fair as many past elections have been marked with alleged unresolved irregularities.
