Keypoints:
- Brenda Biya alleges mistreatment and threats from family members
- She vows to cut all contact and refuses to vote for her father in the election
- Her claims deepen tensions in the first family ahead of polls
CAMEROON’S President Paul Biya has been publicly rebuked by his daughter, Brenda Biya, who in a video posted from Switzerland urged voters not to support him in the upcoming presidential election. The 27-year-old said she will not cast her ballot for him and hopes for another leader.
A family torn: allegations of abuse and threats
In the video, Brenda accused her parents and people close to them of mistreating her, saying she has been threatened with death. She also declared she would ‘cut all contact’ with her parents.
She has raised similar issues in earlier posts, suggesting the deterioration of family bonds. In an Instagram post last year, Brenda criticised situations where loyalty fails and people close to her do not support her, indicating deeper, long-standing family tensions.
Personal identity, public rupture
Brenda has also become a subject of controversy for her public statements about her identity. She came out as a lesbian in 2024 — an act that attracted intense societal scrutiny in Cameroon, where LGBTQ issues remain socially taboo.
She has posted content celebrating personal independence, sometimes criticising what she sees as false loyalty or hypocrisy in relationships, including within her family.
Election fallout
Her allegations and outright political stance have struck a chord with the opposition, who see in her words an internal dissent that could shift public sentiment. The presidency has not issued a response.
As the election nears, this breaking of ranks from one of the most powerful families in Cameroon adds an unpredictable element to the race.
