By Elise Kenimbeni
The book launch of Emile Kwegueng’s latest work, titled “Le Bal des Vampires: Truth About the Affair Mu-Yenga” was officially presented to the public on Thursday, 29th October 2026, in Yaoundé.
To mark the official release, Mr. Kwegueng, a jurist and experienced human rights advocate, gathered a distinguished audience comprising legal experts, civil society representatives, media professionals, and members of the Evangelical Church of Cameroon.
The book, which retraces the systemic injustices faced by individuals who are often wrongfully jailed and condemned, centers around a character named Mu-yenga.
As presented by Dr. Fotué Simo Christal Thomas, this novel exposes the total violation of fundamental legal principles and the absolute denial of justice.
Speaking to outline the major themes of the novel, Dr. Fotué Simo Christal Thomas noted that the 257-page book lifts the veil of imagination, taking readers on both a geographical and human journey. The narrative bears witness to intrigues in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, as well as truths buried deep within local villages.
He added: “We follow the steps of a character of incredible strength: the detective. Through his tenacity and his refusal to give up, we are plunged into the workings of a crushing system. He is not only investigating a painful case of injustice, he is confronting the monsters lurking in the shadows, those who seek to undermine justice.”
The narrative is constructed with surgical precision. Even though it is a work of fiction, it is inspired by real facts, featuring an allegorical framework and a long-term vision that completely changes the reader's perspective.
Dr. Fotué explained to the audience: “This is not a geographical work, nor a raw testimony, but a novel that uses fiction to tell a truth about the mechanisms of injustice. It is precisely this balance between fiction and reality that will speak to lawyers, because they will recognize the mechanisms they have seen or fought against in their own practice.”
To conclude, Dr. Fotué stated: “Presented as a legal file, Emile signs here a work with a nervous, rebellious writing style, where suspense remains intact until the very last line. It is a necessary book that powerfully echoes the failings of our institutions and the universal quest for peace.”
Taking the floor to address the gathering, the author began by expressing his gratitude to everyone who supported him over the years during his work on “Le Bal des Vampires: Truth About the Affair Mu-Yenga.”
Mr. Emile Kwegueng particularly praised the support of his spouse, whom he described as a vital pillar of strength, alongside the Executive Director of REDHAC and other key supporters.
“For those who are discovering me, my universe is a world where appearances are deceptive, and where every detail counts. With this novel, I wanted to take you into a captivating investigation, at the heart of scorn, full of twists and turns," the author said. "I wanted to carry you along on a down-to-earth pursuit, at the rhythm of the courthouse corridors abroad and in Yaoundé, from village to city, in the footsteps of a stubborn investigator, determined to bring the truth to light. At the heart of this novel, there is a victim crushed by an incredible injustice, both political and judicial.”
Emile Kwegueng indicated that writing the book was a profound experience. “Writing this book was a real plunge into the school of life. A game of threads, made in America, that I took great pleasure in designing, hoping to keep you on edge and to drain you until the very last page. I am leading you all to preserve the mystery of the plot. To build this story, I chose to mix fiction with reality. I entered the palaces of justice, visited the narrow cells of the youngest. All this produced in me a profound emotional shock—a feeling of helplessness, of effort, and a deep questioning of human dignity. The rhythm during hearings, the waiting in the exiled corridors, and the weight of procedures created in me a profound feeling of dispossession of self. I had the impression that life is summed up in a series of dates and verdicts, reducing the individual to a simple file. Crossing doors and the lines of cells plunged me into a universe of extreme sadness. The dirt, the dilapidation, and the overpopulation of the cells directly confront misery and unhealthiness.”
The author emphasized that he drew direct inspiration from daily realities and real-world facts to feed a narrative he hopes will deeply resonate with readers.
Mr. Kwegueng added: “It is in this promiscuity of everyday life, between two hearings and two flat doors, that the investigator will try to break the arrogance and trace the figure of a growing conspiracy. At the end of the journey, you will discover that the true culprits are not always those condemned by the law, and that they sometimes share the same bench as you.”
The book launch ceremony also featured moving testimonies from close collaborators who reviewed the work prior to its official publication.
Barrister Fotso Brigitte, a renowned notary in Cameroon, observed that while some books are read as simple stories that quickly fade from memory, others demand deep reflection because they are rooted in reality. She noted that the unfolding events shake the reader's conscience, prompting questions about how society continues to cover up such violations of dignity.
Barrister Fotso Brigitte stated: “I would like to salute here the determination of the author, Emile. When he told me about this case of crying injustice, scandalous and even unspeakable, I could only give him encouragement in return. For any human being who respects human dignity, Le Bal des Vampires is the image of this person, violated by a whole system that was supposed to protect him. To tell an injustice, to denounce a parody of justice, to awaken the collective conscience of society, is to paint our society as it is. It is to give a face, a name, a family to injustice, to evil that must never remain in the shadows, in the abstract, or in impunity. To write to denounce remains an important thing to do so that history remembers and remains alive. We must read. Read, recognize ourselves, testify, refuse oblivion. Refusing oblivion does not mean remaining in the sadness of the mother and daughter of what was lived, but to popularize it, to speak about it so that such atrocities never happen again, to dehumanize man, this being that God created in His image and likeness to live in peace and happiness.”
The Executive Director of REDHAC, Mrs. Maximilienne Ngo Mbe, also took the floor to congratulate the author on his courage to shape this narrative and denounce the visible injustices within the judicial system.
She spoke: “I want to congratulate Emile. Emile is someone with whom I have done everything. We moved mountains together. We were slandered. We lacked money. We even had sleepless nights. Because we were up at 2 a.m., 3 a.m., 4 a.m. just because we were in search of justice…”
The ceremony concluded with selected readings that gave the audience a closer look at the book's pages, followed by an official dedication session.
Copies of the book are available for 10,000 FCFA and can also be purchased on online platforms such as Amazon.com.
