APA-Yaounde (Cameroon) Joseph Beti Assomo, the prefect of the Mfoundi district where the capital Yaounde is located, has banned the reproduction and dissemination of erotic and pornographic writings and images in his jurisdiction.

The prefectural order comes in the wake of a homily by the city’s archbishop denouncing widespread pornography through cable television, and targets motels, hotels and video clubs.

But the official act is unlikely to be upheld as the phenomenon seems to have gained momentum in recent years.

Yaounde is currently infested with entertainment places known to all for offering striptease.

Similarly, downtown areas have a high concentration of street vendors offering erotic videotapes, CDs and magazines.

Previous public authorities took as "radical" measures against the circulation of pornographic material in Yaounde a few years ago, but such have never been implemented.