Cameroon’s editorial journalist David Atemkeng has publicly rebutted a recent claim by commentator Steve Fah that the Bamiléké people “do not have a political culture,” arguing that such divisive and contemptuous statements must not be allowed to spread.
Fah’s assertion, which appeared in a recent column, sparked criticism for its sweeping generalisation about the Bamiléké, an ethnic group that forms a significant part of Cameroon’s western region.
In a response published in Actu Cameroun, Atemkeng wrote that “on ne peut pas « laisser prospérer ce type de discours clivant et méprisant à … »,” emphasizing the need to reject rhetoric that pits communities against each other.
The Bamiléké have a long‑standing presence in Cameroon's political life, having been active in both colonial and post‑independence movements. Cameroon, a bilingual Central African nation, is home to dozens of ethnic groups, each contributing to its complex political landscape.
Atemkeng’s rebuttal underscores a broader debate in Cameroonian media about the use of ethnic stereotypes in public discourse, urging journalists and commentators to maintain respectful and fact‑based dialogue.
<small>Source: Actu Cameroun — read the original story there.</small>
