Talented comedian and writer Aline Zomo-Bem is also a presenter (freelance), television journalist and accessory designer. She is also the author of five novels and two others which are yet to be released. She also takes pride as being the only woman in her profession and humorist from Cameroon.
She is the eldest daughter of the late Abel Zomo–Bem, a brilliant Cameroonian journalist and writer who was the zenith of Cameroon tribune and radio - Cameroon after a record of promoting ESSIJY now known as ESSTIC.
Aline, feels happy to follow in his footsteps. Aline Zomo-Bem is from the Fong tribe in Zoetele village, Sangmelima in Cameroon. Dr Mathieu Mbarga Abega, the brilliant political journalist and writer is her mentor.
Interview Q: Hello Aline, how are you feeling this morning?
A: I'm fine as usual; I rarely throw a bad start because I’m always positive and my life is beautiful.
Q: You communicate through the web and social networks. That is where people get to know you, how true is that?
A: I'm not a mascot of social networks; it is simply that I post messages to users who speak with relevance and accuracy which is lacking in a lot of people. If you do not say anything reasonable, people do not read. You would agree with me that people react when there are arguments. I think social networks are a great asset of mass communication, for public figures like me who do not live in Cameroon. The media ‘blackmail’ is a specialty of Cameroonian journalists, it is from social networks that Cameroonians have learnt more about me and I am proud. It is for Cameroon to know the truth about me and distinguish between lying about my personality and my genuine personal history and my young career. I prefer the exchange of ideas that the people debate on.
Q: After a long stay in your country, Cameroon, you have relocated to France. We would like to know if you have a dual citizenship and what is your opinion on the matter?
A: After spending a year in Cameroon, I'm actually back in France. I'm healthy and I have not been stocked with fish or assaulted. I'm glad to be alive, especially since I was threatened with death by a gang of macho men who believed that Cameroon is theirs. I also had a dispute with the man who raped me. He had wanted to intimidate me and banning me from my regular visit to Cameroon at ease. And because I am not someone who is intimidated by donkeys I went to Cameroon on the challenge instead. Thankfully France assured me of every protection I needed. I'm lucky to have this beautiful country that loves and defends its citizens. I am for the State of Cameroon to grant dual citizenship to Cameroonians in the Diaspora, but I am disappointed that the Diaspora chooses to talk about it in a bungling manner. When my mentor Dr Mathieu Mbarga - Abéga, author of the essay ‘Paul Biya afraid of his Diaspora for thirty years’ spoke on this issue, he stated that it is this Diaspora that created confusion with their inconsistent discussions. Everyone wants to talk about it in the corner or the cohesion and this seriously divides us.
Q: Everyone is aware of your rants on your social network post. What infuriates you so much?
A: When I post my rant, I'm still in line with my job. Men have been doing this for a decade so why the surprise when it comes to a woman? I think there are a lot of ‘macho’ Cameroonians, who are surprised that there are women like me to contradict them intelligently. I’m aware of the time when Cameroonian women were not assertive. My father used to do what I do today in a different way. I didn't steal my courage and my daring manner, it flows in my veins. My late father, Bem Zomo Abel who was a brilliant journalist and Cameroonian writer said bluntly what he thought. I respect people but I'm not afraid of anyone. At 47 I'm pretty much happy and fulfilled with love as a brave Cameroonian. I do not complain about anything, I continued my life that is as beautiful as my return to France. When I talk to young people I give them the true picture and they understand me. There are too many sectarian doctrines and young people can get lost in all these untrue speech. We must prevent these dangers and that is what I'm here for. I use active learning created by my mentor to be practical in action.
Q: Let's talk about your literary productions; what does Aline Zomo–Bem do?
A: I am the author of five novels and two others yet to be released. However there will be an upcoming release of the sixth novel soon. The title of the sixth novel is “All hands to Mvog Ada” as I describe my stay in Cameroon; I had to immortalize this enigmatic stay. I continue to write my sketches with the same vein after following the one-woman show in Paris as usual.
Q: After your stay in the country (as we mentioned above), what conclusions can you draw?
A: Personally I’m disappointed in Cameroon because of the destructive behavior of those in high positions. They do not want to work with the Cameroonian Diaspora as I have observed. Exposing misconduct and incompetence at all levels using communication especially is my chosen field. If the media men do not want the presence of professional women at their sides, then where is the gender equality? Media men for example, are everywhere at once while a developing countries like Cameroon, needs son and daughters of this beautiful country in Central Africa. Together Cameroonians today are working for Cameroon.
Q: It is said that you are helping many Cameroonians and you have a big heart; tell us more?
A: I was born generous, a value that many Cameroonians do not have and they live in the profit and fraud. I'm attending to those who need help. I have been doing it for a year now and I will keep on doing it. But now it depends on the demand I accept when I’m not working at Abbe Pierre. I have loved people my whole life. I have values that my parents instilled in me and generosity is one of those values.
Q: What message would you like to send to your countrymen?
A: I offer a message of hope for Cameroon. They should continue to work hard to get out of poverty. I fight for the poor. The imposters should give way to brilliant Cameroonians to build our beautiful country. Also thanks to Mo Radio and Royal African television for giving me the opportunity to show what I can do in the world of professional communication. And then to you Dariche Nehdi Idrissou, especially Arab and Culture Ebony who have done an excellent job in all aspects of the Cameroonian society. It’s not just the song to speak of excellence, we must value all those who made an impact.
