Cameroon has formally rejected a visit by France’s LGBTQ rights ambassador, with Yaounde stressing that homosexuality was criminalized under existing laws.

Ambassador Jean-Marc Berthon was due to visit the Central African country from 27 June until 1 July to discuss gender rights, the BBC reports.

But foreign minister Lejeune Mbella Mbella in a French language circular sighted by GhanaWeb noted that the government disapproves of the planned visit.

Homosexuality the statement said “qualified as a crime of common law” in Cameroon.

Recently Cameroon's National Communication Council warned the media against promoting homosexual content, the BBC Africa LIVE report added.

Cameroun-France visite de Jean-Marc Berthon interdite. pic.twitter.com/ze6GaRr3Yw

— Cyril Payen (@payenc) June 21, 2023