Cameroon’s government wants to prevent France’s LGBT+ rights ambassador from holding a gender and sexual identity conference there because it violates anti-homosexuality laws.
The French institute in Yaounde will host the event from June 27 to July 1, with Ambassador Jean-Marc Berthon visiting the central African nation.
According to Reuter’s internal communication, the government informed the French ambassador in Cameroon of its disapproval of Berthon’s visit.
Monday’s warning reminds the French embassy that the government opposes Berthon’s planned actions, including the conference.
On Wednesday, the French embassy ignored multiple calls for comment.
22 of 54 African nations legalize homosexuality. Cameroon jails same-sex couples for five years.
Human Rights Watch reports rising violence and arbitrary arrests against the LGBT+ community.
Berthon’s planned travel to Cameroon comes weeks after Uganda passed one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ laws, including hefty prison sentences and the death penalty.
