Daughter of Cameroon's president hints she is in gay relationship with photo of her kissing another woman - sparking fury in the country where homosexuality is illegal

The daughter of the President of Cameroon has sparked rumours that she is in a same-sex relationship by sharing a picture of her kissing another woman.

Brenda Biya, 26, received furious responses to her post with homosexuality illegal in the country her father rules.

Paul Baya, now 91, became Cameroon 's president 42 years ago, making him one of Arica's longest-serving leaders.

An Instagram post by Ms Biya shows her kissing Brazillian model Layyons Valenca with the accompanying caption: 'I'm crazy about you & I want the world to know.'

Cameroonians who engage in same-sex acts or relationships can be jailed for up to five years, but since Ms Biya lives elsewhere, she is not subject to this law.

Brenda Biya, 26, daughter of Cameroonian president Paul Biya, 91, has sparked rumours that she is gay by sharing a picture of her kissing Brazillian model Layyons Valenca

Ms Biya is the daughter of the Cameroonan President. Homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon

Ms Biya is a musician who goes by the name King Nasty.

Though she did not explicitly state her sexual orientation in her post, she followed it up by sharing an article by French newspaper Le Monde saying she had 'come out' as well as messages of support from many others.

Shakiro, a transgender activist from Cameroon, was one of those who praised the musician, hoping the post could be a 'turning point for the LGBTQ+ community in Cameroon' as Ms Biya positions herself as 'a voice for social change in a country where taboos are deeply rooted'.

Shakiro lives in Belgium after seeking asylum following an 'attempted homosexuality' conviction back in Cameroon.

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However, Ms Biya's social media intervention has not been met with unanimous praise.

A number of social media users from Cameroon shared homophobic comments in response.

Ms Biya posted again the following day, captioning a picture of her: 'Why tf [the f***] u so opinionated?'

Nevertheless, some have questioned whether the artist shared the picture with publicity in mind.

Other responses suggested coming out is a privilege only a lucky few Cameroonians can enjoy without fear.

LGBT activist Bandy Kiki said: 'I love this for Cameroon's First Daughter.

'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.'

Pictured: Paul Biya in 2011. Cameroon's laws against homosexuality have drawn criticism from human rights groups during his 42-year leadership of the country

Cameroon's laws against members of the LGBT community have led to criticism from human rights groups in the past, including in 2022, when Human Rights Watch urged the country 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'.

Human rights lawyer Alice Nkom, who defends LGBT people in Cameroon, described Ms Biya as a 'model of courage... sending an important universal message of love'.

Against a backdrop of media outlets in Cameroon being sanctioned in the past for depicting homosexuality, most publications and broadcasters are yet to report on their president's daughter's recent posts, nor has Mr Biya or his government commented.

Ms Biya has been contacted for comment.