The daughter of Cameroon's president has published a photo of herself kissing another woman, sparking a backlash in a country where same-sex relationships are banned.
In a photo on Instagram, 26-year-old Brenda Bija is seen hugging and kissing Brazilian model Lyons Valensa.
"I'm crazy about you and I want the world to know," Bija wrote under the picture, with heart emoticons.
Paul Biya, her 91-year-old father, became Cameroon's president back in 1982, making him one of the longest-reigning leaders in Africa.
Same-sex relationships and same-sex sex in Cameroon are punishable by up to five years in prison.
- Being LGBT+ is illegal, Ghana's parliament has decided
- "I am gay" in Uganda threatened with life imprisonment
- LGBT troops on the Ukrainian front are fighting homophobia at home
- "My fiance is a Ukrainian soldier and he has a lover, but I want to marry him"
Brenda Bija, a musician who lives abroad and performs under the name King Nesti, did not explicitly emphasize her sexual orientation in her Instagram post.
However, she soon shared the text of the French Mond, who announced that he was "autovala", which is the term used when someone first announces that he is gay.
She also shared the messages of support she received, including one from transgender Cameroonian activist Shakiro.
Shakiro believes that this could be a "turning point for the LGBT+ community in Cameroon", and that Bija is "positioning herself as a voice for social change in a country where taboos are deeply rooted".
Shakiro currently lives in Belgium, where she requested asylum after being convicted of "attempted homosexuality" in Cameroon.
Watch the video: "I'm gay, black and a priest"
Although Bija received many praises, some social media users in Cameroon responded to her post with homophobic comments.
There are also those who believe that Bija posted the photo only to cause a storm, bearing in mind that she has shared things that cause controversy among Cameroonians before.
There were also questions about whether "car driving" is the privilege of a select few in the country.
LGBT activist Bandi Kiki stated on Facebook that the post of the "first daughter of Cameroon", although she likes what she did, only "underlines the harsh reality".
"Anti-LGBT laws in Cameroon disproportionately target the poor," Kiki said.
"Wealth and connections are a shield for some, while others face dire consequences."
- Where they are progressing, and where LGBT rights are under attack
- Why the Catholic Church is not ready to recognize same-sex marriage
- LGBT movement in Russia declared an "extremist organization"
- The police and the Protector of Citizens are investigating allegations of abuse of LGBT+ young men and women
Human rights groups have previously criticized Cameroon's strict laws against the LGBT community.
In 2022, Human Rights Watch called on Cameroon to "urgently repeal the discriminatory law and ensure that the human rights of all Cameroonians are respected, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender characteristics."
Alice Nkom, a well-known lawyer who represents LGBT people in Cameroon, believes that Bija is a "model of courage" and that she "sends an important universal message of love".
Most media in Cameroon did not publish a photo of the president's daughter.
The media regulatory body has the power to fine them for portraying homosexuality.
Neither the Cameroonian government nor President Bija commented on the photo.
The BBC has contacted Brenda Bija for comment.
BBC is in Serbian from now on and on YouTube, follow us HERE.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube i Viber. If you have a topic proposal for us, contact us at bbcnasrpskom@bbc.co.uk
Bonus video:
