Cameroon’s tabloid newspapers have alleged dozens of prominent politicians, entertainers and even religious figures are gay, stirring a storm in a country where homosexuality is illegal.
Many of those ”outed” by the gutter press have strongly denied the allegations and some are taking legal action, while blaming rivals for spreading the charges.
The fortnightly La Meteo sparked the scandal in its last edition with a feature on homosexuals in the West African country. It was followed by two other papers not known for their ethics, Nouvelle Afrique and L’Anecdote, which proceeded to name names with abandon.
They quoted unidentified ”reliable sources” as saying that government ministers and other officials, artists and even church dignitaries have had relations with people of the same sex in order to gain advancement.
Parliamentary Relations Minister Gregoire Owona, one of those named, told Agence France-Presse that he had demanded a right of reply in the press and lodged a complaint in the courts.
”I intend to safeguard my honour,” he added.
Cameroonian law provides for prison terms of between six months and five years and fines of up to 200 000 CFA francs (€300) for homosexual practices.
Such sentences are regularly handed down by the courts for what is locally referred to as ”bilingualism”.
Human rights groups, which want to see an end to discrimination, reacted angrily to the latest wave of accusations.
”Individual freedoms, whose respect is written into the Constitution, must be guaranteed,” said rights defender Suzanne Kala Lobe, adding that the scandal smacked of ”the inquisition”.
The newspapers concerned, meanwhile are unabashed and one, L’Anecdote, came up with a new list this week.
”It’s been a long time since our circulation exceeded 5 000,” said editor Francois Bikoro. ”Since we began dealing with homosexuality it has gone up to more than 20 000.”
The incriminating articles have created their own market, with originals fetching up to 5 000 CFA francs against a cover price of 300 CFA francs and photocopies being traded undercover. – AFP
