Cameroon’s government has told France’s LGBT rights ambassador he is not wanted in the central African country and should not bother travelling there.
Jean-Marc Berthon, who represents the French government on the rights of LGBT+ people worldwide, is scheduled to visit Cameroon between June 27 and July 1 for an event hosted by the French Institute in the capital, Yaounde.
As part of the trip, he is due to chair a conference on gender and sexual identity.
But the Cameroonian government said the topics planned for discussion would breach the country’s anti-homosexuality legislation.
Cameroon despatched a diplomatic notice to the French ambassador in the country, making clear it was opposed to Mr Berthon’s visit, Reuters reported citing an internal letter sent on Monday.
– Against all
The letter says Cameroon is against all of Mr Berthon’s planned activities, including the proposed conference.
Homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon. People in same-sex relations can be jailed for up to five years.
Thirty-two of Africa’s 54 nations do not allow homosexuality.
In May, Uganda approved an anti-gay law that, while not criminalizing individuals based on their LGBTQ identity, imposed the death penalty on cases involving sexual relations with minors, individuals infected with HIV, and other vulnerable groups.
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