Brenda Biya, daughter of Cameroonian President, Paul Biya, has sparked reactions online after her image in which she was kissing a Brazillian model Layyons Valença surfaced online.
“I’m crazy about you & I want the world to know,” the 26-year-old wrote, adding a love heart emoji in the picture posted on Instagram.
Same-sex marriage has been criminalized in the Central African country.
Those engaging in same-sex acts or relationships could face up to five years in jail.
Her 91-year-old father, Paul Biya, became Cameroon’s president in 1982 and is one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders.
Ms Biya, a musician based abroad who goes by the name King Nasty, did not explicitly state her sexuality when posting the picture of the kiss.
However, some time after the image was published, Ms Biya shared an article from Le Monde, in which the French newspaper reported that she had “come out”.
She also shared other messages from people expressing their support for her.
Transgender Cameroonian activist Shakiro was among those who praised Ms Biya, saying her Instagram post could be a “turning point for the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon”.
Shakiro said Ms Biya “is now positioning herself as a voice for social change in a country where taboos are deeply rooted”.
Shakiro currently resides in Belgium. She sought asylum there after being convicted of “attempted homosexuality” in Cameroon.
Although Ms Biya has been praised by some, several social media users in Cameroon responded to her post with homophobic comments.
Some have speculated whether Ms Biya shared the picture in order to generate a buzz, given her reputation for publishing social media posts that spark controversy among Cameroonians.
There have also been questions about whether coming out is a privilege that can only be enjoyed by a select few in the country.
“I love this for Cameroon’s First Daughter,” LGBT activist Bandy Kiki said in a Facebook post.
“However, it highlights a harsh reality: Anti-LGBT laws in Cameroon disproportionately target the poor. Wealth and connections create a shield for some, while others face severe consequences.”
Human rights groups have previously criticised Cameroon’s strict laws against members of the LGBT community.
In 2022, Human Rights Watch urged Cameroon to “take urgent action to revoke this discriminatory law and to ensure that the human rights of all Cameroonians, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics, are upheld”.
