Cameroon president’s daughter hints at same-sex relationship

The daughter of Cameroon’s president has posted an image of herself kissing another woman, eliciting mixed reactions in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal.

The Instagram post shows 26-year-old Brenda Biya embracing Brazilian model Layyons Valença.

“I’m crazy about you & I want the world to know,” Ms. Biya wrote, adding a heart emoji.

Her 91-year-old father, Paul Biya, has been Cameroon’s president since 1982 and is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders.

In the Central African nation, engaging in same-sex acts or relationships can result in up to five years in jail.

Ms. Biya, who is a musician known as King Nasty, did not explicitly state her sexuality when posting the picture of the kiss.

However, after the image was published, Ms. Biya shared an article from Le Monde, in which the French newspaper reported that she had “come out.”

She also shared messages of support from various people.

Transgender Cameroonian activist Shakiro praised Ms. Biya, saying her Instagram post could be a “turning point for the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon.”

Shakiro said Ms. Biya “is now positioning herself as a voice for social change in a country where taboos are deeply rooted.”

Shakiro currently resides in Belgium, having sought asylum there after being convicted of “attempted homosexuality” in Cameroon.

While some praised Ms. Biya, several social media users in Cameroon responded to her post with homophobic comments.

There has been speculation that Ms. Biya shared the picture to generate attention, given her reputation for posting controversial content on social media.

Additionally, questions have arisen about whether coming out is a privilege only accessible to a select few in the country.

“I love this for Cameroon’s First Daughter,” LGBT activist Bandy Kiki said in a Facebook post.

“However, it highlights a harsh reality: Anti-LGBT laws in Cameroon disproportionately target the poor. Wealth and connections create a shield for some, while others face severe consequences.”

Ms. Biya is based abroad, but theoretically, she could face arrest if she engages in same-sex acts during her occasional trips to Cameroon.

Human rights groups have previously criticized Cameroon’s strict laws against members of the LGBT community.

In 2022, Human Rights Watch urged Cameroon to “take urgent action to revoke this discriminatory law and to ensure that the human rights of all Cameroonians, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics, are upheld.”

Barrister Alice Nkom, a renowned human rights lawyer who defends LGBT people in Cameroon, praised Ms. Biya as a “model of courage” who is “sending an important universal message of love.”

Most media outlets in Cameroon have not reported on Ms. Biya’s recent picture. The media regulatory body has been known to sanction publications and broadcasters for depictions of homosexuality.

The government, including President Biya, has not officially commented on the story either.

The BBC has contacted Ms. Biya and is yet to receive a response.