Cameroon: 92-year-old Biya heads for eighth term in presidential elections

Yaoundé (Cameroon), 12 October (LaPresse/AP) – Cameroon votes in presidential elections. Analysts predict a victory for President Paul Biya, in power since 1982, who at 92 is Africa’s oldest leader and the world’s oldest president. If he wins, he will be 99 years old at the end of his new seven-year term. Biya faces nine opposition candidates, including some former allies. Since gaining independence in 1960, Cameroon has had only two leaders. The country is facing security crises, with a secessionist war in the west and the Boko Haram insurgency in the north. There are over 8 million eligible voters, including 34,000 abroad. Cameroon has a population of over 29 million, mostly young people. Polling stations will remain open until 6 p.m. local time (7 p.m. in Italy) and results are expected by 26 October at the latest.