two jailed for gay sex

By Yaounde Correspondents

February 28, 2006: A court in Cameroon jailed two men for a year today after they confessed to having gay sex despite a ban on homosexuality in the central African country.

Their relationship emerged when they took a dispute over a stolen mobile phone to the police.

One of the men told the court he had been tricked into having sex on the false promise that he would be given help getting to Europe in return.

Same-sex relationships are outlawed in many countries across Africa and are often publicly condemned as "un-African".

In some traditional beliefs, homosexuals are said to be cursed or bewitched.

Tabloid newspapers in Cameroon sold out last month after publishing lists and photos of allegedly gay politicians, businessmen and musicians in what their editors said was a crusade against "deviant behaviour".

The publishers of two of the newspapers are currently standing trial for defamation after they named senior members of President Paul Biya's administration in the lists.