Brenda Biya: A political manipulator or a misunderstood daughter?

She has been accused of being a political manipulator, who uses her online platform to divert the attention of the people from the problems of the country and to defend her father, who has been in power since 1982 and who is facing criticism and opposition for his authoritarian and corrupt rule. She has also been criticized for her luxurious and ostentatious lifestyle, which contrasts with the poverty and suffering of the majority of Cameroonians, who are struggling with the high cost of living, the insecurity, the human rights violations, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

But is Brenda Biya really a dangerous and cunning political communicator, or is she a misunderstood and troubled daughter, who is trying to cope with the pressure and the isolation of being the offspring of one of the longest-serving and most controversial leaders in Africa?

On the one hand, one could argue that Brenda Biya is indeed a political manipulator, who is following a well-designed strategy to distract and deceive the Cameroonian people. She uses social media to spread propaganda and misinformation, to create a false image of her father as a victim of the Westerners and a champion of pan-Africanism, and to incite hatred and division among the people. She also uses social media to flaunt her wealth and privilege, to show off her expensive clothes and accessories, and to boast about her private concerts and parties with famous artists. She does not care about the plight of the Cameroonian people, who are suffering from hunger, disease, violence, and oppression. She does not care about the democratic principles of freedom of expression, accountability, and transparency. She only cares about her own interests and those of her father and his regime.

On the other hand, one could argue that Brenda Biya is a misunderstood and troubled daughter, who is trying to cope with the pressure and the isolation of being the offspring of one of the longest-serving and most controversial leaders in Africa. She uses social media to express her opinions and emotions, to vent her frustrations and fears, and to seek attention and validation. She is not a political manipulator, but a naive and vulnerable young woman, who is influenced by her surroundings and her peers. She is not a toxic-junky, but a sick and depressed person, who suffers from thyroid problems and psychological issues. She does not flaunt her wealth and privilege, but she tries to fill the void and the loneliness that she feels. She does not hate the Cameroonian people, but she loves them and wants them to be happy and free.

The case of Brenda Biya is a complex and delicate one, that reflects the complexity and the delicacy of the situation in Cameroon. It is not easy to judge her, as she is both a public figure and a private person, both a political actor and a human being. She is a product and a victim of her father’s rule, but also a potential agent and a catalyst of change. She is a paradox and a mystery, that challenges and intrigues the Cameroonian people and the world.

The case of Brenda Biya is also a test for the Cameroonian society and the international community. It will reveal whether they can respect and protect her rights and dignity, or whether they will abuse and exploit her. It will reveal whether they can dialogue and empathize with her, or whether they will condemn and ostracize her. It will reveal whether they can support and help her, or whether they will ignore and abandon her.

The fate of Brenda Biya will have a significant impact on the future of Cameroon, and on the future of Africa. She is a symbol and a mirror, that reflects the hopes and the fears, the strengths and the weaknesses, the opportunities and the challenges, of the continent. She is a daughter and a sister, that deserves respect and love, from her father and from her people.