Eitel Joris Ella Ella, executive director of the Cameroonian LGBTI rights group Camfaids, died today as a result of illness, Camfaids announced. “We ask all those who knew him to pay for the repose of his soul,” Camfaids stated on Facebook. The organization did not provide specifics about the illness. In January 2015, Camfaids chose … Continue reading
A homophobic neighborhood in Yaoundé, Cameroon was the site of a shock action on Nov. 14 that demonstrated the resilience of the LGBTI community and the ease with which gay and straight Cameroonians can interact peacefully. The event, called “Homosexual Visibility in Homophobic Neighborhoods,” was organized by AVAF (the Association for the Promotion of Women) … Continue reading
For five months, Maxime, 26, had lived in a room in the Mimboman neighborhood of Yaoundé, earning his living by selling braised fish. In that densely populated area where homes butt against each other, his neighbors included his landlord and the landlord’s extended family. All seemed well until one day in June, when Maxime was … Continue reading
Last month, hundreds of Cameroonians marched in support of the country’s human rights defenders in a protest organized by Camfaids and its partners. Camfaids (the Cameroonian Foundation for Aids) combats HIV/Aids and works to achieve recognition of the importance of guaranteeing human rights for LGBTI people. The peaceful march by nearly 300 people was part … Continue reading
In Cameroon, the number of prosecutions and convictions of LGBTI people has dropped markedly after years of hard work by local activists and two attorneys advocating for recognition of the human rights of LGBTI people. Cameroon has not repealed the law known as “347 bis,” which provides for up to five years in prison for … Continue reading
Cameroon’s new association of activist women and their supporters has been busy in Cameroon and in Europe, seeking greater opportunities, improved health care, and basic human rights for lesbians and transgender women. The organization AVAF (Association for the Promotion of Women) has been active in Cameroon, led by its local board of directors, all of … Continue reading
By Denis LeBlanc Edited and translated by Colin Stewart Death threats have forced a leader of the human rights group Affirmative Action in Cameroon to flee his home and seek refuge in a safe house. Desmond Sone Mbecho, who leads the cultural and peer education section of Affirmative Action, had been working on anti-AIDS projects … Continue reading
Cameroon should combat recent outbreaks of anti-gay violence, starting by taking a public stand on the issue during next month’s United Nations review of the country’s human rights record, according to 12 local and international human rights groups who made that request in an open letter to President Paul Biya on Sept. 11. “The Cameroonian … Continue reading
Cameroon remains a dangerous place for LGBT activists, but plans for a coalition to improve the safety of Cameroonian AIDS fighters have fallen apart. After the murder of activist and journalist Eric Lembembe in July in Cameroon, organizations serving the LGBT community there announced the formation of the coalition as a defense against further attacks. … Continue reading
Donations from around the world Many people from Cameroon and at least seven other countries helped pay for the funeral of journalist and activist Eric Lembembe, who was murdered last month. The following summary of funds donated to and spent on the funeral of Aug. 2-3 was prepared by three Cameroonian organizations combating discrimination against … Continue reading
