AFTER ALGERIA, CAMEROON IN TURN BANS “BARBIE” MAKING IT THE FIRST BLACK AFRICAN COUNTRY TO TAKE SUCH MEASURES

After few days of Algeria banning “Barbie”, Cameroon takes measures in banning the movie as well on grounds that it “promotes homosexuality” on its territory. According to Box Office Pro, the banning of this film was due to decision taken by the “Department of Cinematography and Audio-visual Productions of the Ministry of Arts and Culture” (MINAC) on Tuesday 22^nd, 2023, after a week of the movie broadcasted at “Canal Olympia”, in Douala and Yaoundé on Wednesday 16^th August 2023. After the broadcasting of the movie, one week later it was ordered that the movie be removed from all cinema hall programs another reason for this banning was due to the fact that, “it will pervert the children”.

In banning this movie, Cameroon though joining other Arabic countries like Liban, Kuwait and Algeria, it is the first black African country to pronounce this ban and join the fight against “Homosexuality”. In June 2023, Cameroon had banned the arrival of French Ambassador Jean-Marc Berthon for he wanted to promote LGBT activities in Cameroon. Recently, the National Communication council, through its president Joseph Chebonkeng Kalabubsu warned Tv channel and image promoters not to broadcast movies that promote “Homosexuality”.

With Cameroon banning such a movie, it shows that the future of this movie “Barbie” in Africa might not be successful as it is in Europe.

Delia Nyadi