The National Communication Council (NCC) has issued a stern demand for explanations from the renowned Pan-African channel, TV5 Monde. The council, through a communique released yesterday, expressed its dissatisfaction with the channel’s recent broadcast, where they inadvertently portrayed Cameroon with a flag that bore a striking resemblance to the controversial Ambazonian flag.
During the presentation of ongoing matches on the show “64’ Le Monde En Français,” which focuses on the current AFCON in Ivory Coast, TV5 Monde showcased a flag featuring blue and white lines along with additional stars. This stark departure from the usual green, red, and yellow colors with a central star, which symbolize the nation of Cameroon, immediately caught the attention of viewers and triggered a swift reaction from the NCC.
Chebongkeng Kalabubsu, the president of the National Communication Council, minced no words in demanding a clear and urgent explanation from the channel regarding this flag faux pas. The communique released by the NCC states, “The National Communication Council is asking the managers of the said channel to address, without any time wasting, appropriate explanations for such an act.”
This incident has sparked outrage among Cameroonians, with many expressing their disbelief and frustration on social media platforms. Some are questioning whether TV5 Monde intentionally used the Ambazonian flag, a move seen by some as a political statement.
“I don’t think it was a mistake. This channel knows exactly what it is doing,” remarked a concerned individual on Facebook. Another user voiced their strong condemnation, saying, “This is insulting to a whole country like Cameroon. What nonsense! Even a 2-year-old child knows what the Cameroon flag looks like. This channel should go down for such a mistake.”
The gravity of the situation is evident in the speculation circulating online, with some suggesting that the broadcast may be linked to the ongoing Ambazonian separatist movement. One comment humorously pondered, “Are you thinking what I am thinking? Maybe Amba don finally win this fight oohhh.”
In response to the growing controversy, TV5 Monde issued a public apology a few hours after the NCC’s communique. The channel expressed regret for any confusion caused and assured viewers that measures would be taken to prevent such errors in the future. Despite the apology, the incident has ignited a broader conversation about the responsibility and accuracy expected from international media outlets when representing sovereign nations on a global stage.
