Cameroonian Asylum Seeker's Complex Journey to Safety in Britain
When Marius Kamna initially travelled to Britain from Cameroon in 2021, it was under the guise of attending a United Nations climate change conference in Glasgow. The 35-year-old held a temporary visa for this purpose, but his fellow international delegates were undoubtedly taken aback when, rather than contributing insights on environmental issues in central Africa, he abruptly claimed asylum in Britain. His stated reason was that he feared persecution in his home country due to his secret homosexuality.
A Deliberate Deception to Escape Homophobia
What makes Kamna's case particularly complex is the revelation that he left behind a wife and child in Cameroon—a fact not disclosed to the asylum panel that eventually granted him refugee status in the UK. With approximately 2% of asylum seekers (1,377 individuals) citing sexual orientation as their basis for remaining in Britain, some critics suggest that a minority might be exploiting the system by falsely claiming LGBTQ+ persecution.
At first glance, Kamna's heterosexual marriage might appear to place him in this questionable category. However, in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Kamna clarified that it was his straight marriage that was disingenuous, not his gay sexuality. He explained that he has identified as gay since adolescence, around age 15 or 16, and that his marriage was a calculated attempt to escape the widespread homophobia in Cameroon, where LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination, stigmatisation, and legal prosecution.
The Sham Marriage and Its Consequences
Kamna detailed how his parents disowned him upon learning about his sexuality. To regain their respect and societal standing, he entered into an arranged marriage, bribing an official to formalise the union. Despite his homosexuality, he consummated the marriage with his wife, Segning, resulting in the birth of his son, Emanuel, now seven years old. Kamna described this period as "living a lie" and saw the 2021 Glasgow conference as an opportunity to finally come out, even if it meant abandoning his family.
Since claiming asylum, Kamna has not seen his son in person but maintains regular phone contact and sends money for his upbringing. He is now officially recognised as a refugee by the UK government and works full-time as a heavy goods vehicle mechanic in Cardiff.
Community Gossip and Relocation
In a strange twist, Kamna reports being unfairly targeted by rumours within the migrant community around Cardiff. False claims suggest he has a wife and child in the UK as well, leading to such intense gossip that he felt compelled to move out of Cardiff to escape it. He clarified that a woman named Aurelle, who visits him with a young boy in the village of Wick, Vale of Glamorgan, is merely a close friend from Cameroon who lives in Birmingham and assists fellow migrants.
Kamna admitted that police were called due to disputes with neighbours at his previous House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), where visitors allegedly stayed overnight, breaching his tenancy agreement. He has since relocated to an HMO in Newport to be closer to his true partner, Jonathan, a gay asylum seeker from Sierra Leone who is also pursuing a career in vehicle maintenance.
Reflections on a New Life
Kamna expressed happiness with his current situation, emphasising the importance of adhering to rules to avoid deportation. His story highlights the intricate challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing persecution, where desperate measures like sham marriages may be employed for survival. While his case raises questions about asylum verification processes, it also underscores the genuine risks many face in homophobic regions, compelling them to conceal their true identities until reaching safety.
