France pushes for LGBT practices in Cameroon despite the illegality

French Ambassador for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights, Jean-Marc Berthon is expected in Cameroon from June 27 to July 1, 2023, for a debate conference on sexual orientation and identity that will be organized at the French Institute of Cameroon.

The information is contained in correspondence from the Minister of External Relations addressed to the Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji on Monday, June 19, 2023. In the Letter, Lejeune Mbella Mbella said that his ministry has not approved the LGBT activities planned on Cameroonian soil by the French Embassy because it goes against Cameroonian laws. In order to express Cameroon’s intention on the debate conference, Minister Mbella says he transmitted a note verbal to the French embassy to disapprove the organization of such events on Cameroonian soil.

This comes just days after the National Communication Council, through its President, Joseph Chebongkeng Kalabubsu, reiterated the promotion of homosexuality practices in Cameroon’s media landscape is banned.

With the exception of South Africa and Cape Verde, LGBT rights in Africa are limited in comparison to the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Out of the 55 states recognized by the United Nations or African Union or both, the International Gay and Lesbian Association stated in 2015 that homosexuality is outlawed in 34 African countries. Human Rights Watch notes that another two countries, Benin and the Central African Republic, do not outlaw homosexuality, but have certain laws which discriminate against homosexual individuals. Many of the laws that criminalize homosexuality are colonial-era laws.

In Cameroon, the practice is qualified as a common law crime and condemned by the penal code.