2024-02-11 13:50:37
The appointment of Gabriel Attal as French Prime Minister is historic in more than one way. Aged only 34, he became the first tenant of Matignon to publicly display his homosexuality. A strong symbol which does not fail to provoke a reaction, particularly in Cameroon where the subject remains sensitive.
A doubly unprecedented nomination
On Tuesday January 9, 2024, Gabriel Attal was officially appointed Prime Minister by Emmanuel Macron. In addition to his young age, making him the smallest head of government of the Fifth Republic, Attal has the distinction of being openly homosexual.
In a relationship since 2021 with Stéphane Séjourné, MEP and former political advisor to Emmanuel Macron, he thus becomes the first tenant of Matignon to publicly display his homosexuality. A strong symbol, hailed by LGBT associations as a step towards slow normalization in France.
Outraged reactions in Cameroon
However, this historic nomination goes down much less well on the other side of the Mediterranean. In Cameroon in particular, where homosexuality remains an extremely taboo subject, the arrival of an openly gay Prime Minister at the head of the French government provokes outcry and indignation.
On local social networks, many Internet users are shouting “ scandal » and accuse France of “ spread vice ». Some are even calling for a boycott of French products in retaliation. Outraged reactions which say a lot about the mutual incomprehension between Paris and Yaoundé on these social issues.
Especially since this earthquake comes just a few weeks after Pope Francis’ decision to authorize same-sex unions within the Catholic Church. A major reform already judged “ unacceptable » by the majority of Cameroonian and African bishops.