Cathy Meba, Vice-President of the South Regional Council and niece to President Paul Biya, has voiced her discontent regarding the high cost of the traditional cloth worn during International Women's Day in Cameroon. In a Facebook post, she denounced what she considers a "mafia-like" practice surrounding the sale of this fabric, which has become a symbol of the March 8th celebration.
Meba highlighted the difficulty for women with modest incomes, particularly those living in rural areas, to acquire the cloth due to its high price. She reported that the cloth is difficult to find at authorized distributors and is often sold by resellers at prices up to 15,000 CFA francs. "How will our mothers in the village manage? Or young girls, women with small budgets?" she questioned.
In response to this situation, Cathy Meba called on women to refuse to wear the cloth next year if it is not available at an affordable price for all. Her stance is all the more notable given that she is a member of the presidential family and Vice-President of the South Regional Council.
The 8th March cloth is a central element of the International Women's Day celebration in Cameroon. Each year, an official cloth is designated, and its sale is often associated with significant commercial stakes. In 2023, the cloth was sold by the Cotonnière Industrielle du Cameroun (CICAM) at a price of 10,000 FCFA, after an increase from the 6,800 FCFA of previous years.
Cathy Meba's statement comes amid speculation about possible tensions within the presidential family. Some observers note her absence, as well as that of her father, at certain official ceremonies. As of now, no official reaction has been recorded following her statement.
