You must have noticed the new craze called #BidoungChallenge, if you are a Cameroonian and keen on social media! It all started after a photo of Cameroon's Sports Minister Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt shaking hands with President Paul Biya too "respectfully" went viral.
We just gathered that the challenge was created by a Cameroonian journalist who goes by the name of Nfor Hanson Nchanji. According to the holder of BSc degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, the viral internet photo trend was created to shine a light on how Cameroon ministers worship President Biya.
The viral photo of Cameroon's Sports Minister Pierre Ismael Bidoung Mpkatt shaking hands with President Paul Biya too "respectfully".
"The reason for the picture you see a guy with suit (me) greeting a lady (my colleague) at Equinoxe television taken on Friday December 9, 2016 around 7:45am is simple, I wanted to use the picture to pass a message to the public to see the level at which government ministers greet their president, a sign that they do not only worship him, they adore him, he is seen as their creator. These ministers have made Biya what he is today, a king in a country. We only see such greetings in kingdoms or Fondoms for those who know about tradition. The way it has gone viral is proof that Cameroonians have understood the message", Mr Nfor said.
He also added that:
"We suffer in this country because ministers have taken Biya like demi god, such a greeting only goes to show how critical the situation is ,it can be likened to biblical story of Moses and encounter with God in the burning bush, where he hide his face saying he never wanted to see God."
Biya who has been the President of Cameroon since 1982 has been dubbed as "One of the world's worst dictators". According to a publication by IBT, Biya's salary is the highest among African Presidents.
Want to join the #BidoungChallenge? Take a photo of you and your friend or family recreating Bidoung's "gracious bow" and share it on social media using #BidoungChallenge.