The Minister of Housing and Urban Development (MINHDU), Ketcha Célestine, is at the center of a controversy following an incident at the Yaoundé City Hall. She is accused of forcing a door of a state institution, an act that has sparked strong reactions and could lead to a criminal complaint.
According to concurring sources, Ketcha Célestine allegedly used force to enter the premises of the Yaoundé City Council (CUY), in the absence of the Mayor. Accusations of vandalism, abuse of authority, and insults towards municipal elected officials have been made against her. Municipal agents were allegedly called "lazy," and material damage was reportedly observed on the public building.
The Minister's defenders cite a situation of "sequestration" to justify her action. However, her detractors believe that, in a state of law, an administrative dispute must be resolved through hierarchical channels or through the intervention of law enforcement, and not through self-justice. They also point out that the destruction of public property constitutes a criminal offense, regardless of the position of its author.
This case is sparking a heated debate, particularly because of the apparent paradox between the government's condemnation of the ransacking of Cameroonian embassies by activists and the alleged involvement of a member of the government in similar acts in the heart of Yaoundé. The CUY, as the legal manager of municipal property, could file a formal complaint to demand compensation for the damage.
This incident occurs in a context where relations between Ketcha Célestine and certain local elected officials of Yaoundé seem strained. Disputes had already been reported in the past, particularly concerning the management of urban road works. More recently, tensions have arisen over preparations for the papal visit, with accusations of blocking construction sites and interference. The current case could therefore be the culmination of latent disagreements between the Minister and certain municipal authorities.
