2024-02-12 21:43:38
Her acerbic remarks about Chantal Biya have now put her in the crosshairs of Cameroonian power. From abroad, activist Marlène Emvoutou finds herself hounded for having dared to publicly criticize the first lady. Explanations.
The death knell has sounded for Marlène Emvoutou. This Cameroonian based in France has been in the regime’s sights since she stood out for making inflammatory statements about Chantal Biya, the wife of the head of state.
These comments were widely commented on on social networks, but which obviously went down very badly with the Yaoundé palace. To the point of triggering a real woman hunt against Marlène Emvoutou.
Frontal attacks against Chantal Biya
On January 7, 2024, she criticized the videos of the first lady that had gone viral on the web showing her giving champagne to an infant. “Madam First Lady of Cameroon, unless you have signed an advertising contract with a brand of champagne, I do not see the reason why you are promoting this alcoholic drink on a large scale…”she said
Marlène Emvoutou was not satisfied with even these admonitions on a social subject. In her interventions, she also called on Chantal Biya to prepare for a “life after Etoudi”, as soon as her husband’s undivided reign is coming to an end.
« What I can wish with all my heart is that you can remain at the side of Mr. Paul Biya, until the end of his days, even if unfortunately he ceases to be head of state… At the same time, I you understand, you don’t know how to do anything other than being first lady, you love the gold of the Republic and the taxpayer’s money is your personal inheritance. Then you will push him to run for this office which he would finish at 100 years old. My dear mother, there is life after power, you are young at 53. You can now start learning the English and French languages. To write us your memoirs of a first lady who has never spoken in 30 years », underlined Emvoutou.
Comparing her profile to that of Dominique Ouattara, wife of the Ivorian president, she asserts: “Her only merit is to have been a woman in a champagne bar in Yaoundé”. A derogatory reference to Chantal Biya’s alleged past.
The anger of the presidential palace
A very notable media outing which did not fail to provoke ire within the Cameroonian presidency. According to BORIS BERTOLT, Chantal Biya’s close circle even became angry.
Hence the decision of the presidential couple’s entourage to crack down, by launching their networks of courtiers in the footsteps of Marlène Emvoutou. Objective: to make them regret their affront and their words deemed indecent about the first lady.
Tracking and intimidation from abroad
Concretely, the civil office of the presidency obtained special funding to carry out tracking and locating missions for the culprit of lèse-majesté.
According to information from BORIS BERTOLT, pro-Biya bloggers and activists based in France and Europe were even sent to try to collect any information allowing Marlène Emvoutou to be found.