Cameroon: Controversy ahead of French LGBTQ Ambassador’s visit

By Amina Hilda

The announcement of the visit of Jean-Marc Berthon, French ambassador for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) movement has sparked controversy amongst Cameroonians.

According to a document by the French Embassy, the LGBTQ ambassador is expected to arrive at Yaoundé, Nsimalen airport by Air France flight AF775 on June 27, 2023, at 5:55 p.m. He will leave Cameroon on flight AF903 to depart on July 1, 2023, at 8:00 p.m.

The aim of the visit will be to, “examine the LGBTQ legal provisions defined in order to frame their rights and the device established to fight against the prevalence of HIV in the country.”

Consequently, the Embassy has requested an audience with H.E Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Minister of External Relations of the Republic of Cameroon, on the morning of June 29, 2023.

“The simple fact of accepting to receive it is already a dishonor for this country but as they are the ones who control all the creditors (IMF, World Bank, …) of Cameroon, the government is obliged to bend to avoid an economic crisis,”  reacted Patrick, a Facebook user.

Another Cameroonian lamented, “Lord, may it not come to pass. We don’t wish bad for anyone but the lives of our children depend on it… I’m in so much pain that Paul Biya accepts that.” 

It should be noted that a few days back, the National Communication Council, in charge of regulating and advising the media in Cameroon prohibited all LGBTQ-related content on the media.

In Cameroon, like in many other African countries, openly identifying as LGBTQ is illegal and punishable by jail time.

Uganda’s President a few weeks back confirmed a bill that imposed heavy sanctions on all those caught in Homosexual acts.

These actions pose serious challenges for Western countries that have legalized gay rights in their various countries.