Government berates Reporters Without Borders, French newspaper for describing Cameroon a monarchy

By Tata Mbunwe

Government of Cameroon has chastised global media watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, RSF, French newspaper, Le Monde and local journalists for having referred to Cameroon as a monarchy.

In a release published on February 23, Government spokesperson, Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi, replied the foreign organisations stating that Cameroon is a democratic nation.

He said this is evident in the enormous number of political parties, media organs and non-governmental organisations existing in the country.

Media organs have often compared the country to a monarchy, given that 90-year-old President Paul Biya has been in power since 1982 and there are still calls for him to run at the 2025 presidential elections.

“To say in particular of Cameroon that it is akin to a monarchy, endowed with a justice under orders, where violence, secrecy, clanism, and predation prevail, where journalism is a dangerous profession, is not only an untruth, but stems from a shameless and barely veiled instrumentalisation which, at the very least, discredits this renowned newspaper, which is bound by this very fact to set an example in terms of journalistic ethics, professional conduct and professionalism,” the Minister wrote.

“Also, the Government of the Republic intends to reaffirm the following: Cameroon is a State of law where fundamental freedoms, including freedom of the press, are guaranteed and constitute the foundations of our democracy. Witness the large number of existing political parties, the multitude of associations, NGOs and press organs which all lead freely their activities, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in our country,” the minister maintained.

Mimi Mefo Info