No Progress Made in Stemming Tide of Violence in Cameroon: Catholic Archbishop

Providing the example of a recent attack in the region, Archbishop Nkea says, “Recently, armed groups planted a bomb near an army center that destroyed the building and killed some of the military and soldiers. In response, they set fire to the houses around the area, resulting in the death among the military and at least two civilians, as well as several completely destroyed homes.”

According to the Agenzia Fides report, English-speaking areas “continue to represent a hotbed of great tension in Cameroon while the dialogue process is struggling to proceed.”

Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions have been experiencing violence after a strike action of lawyers and teachers turned violent.

The violence resulted in the growth of an armed separatists’ movement claiming independence for the so-called republic of Ambazonia.

English speakers make up around 20 percent of the country’s population and have long complained about being marginalized by the French-speaking ruling class.

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Providing an update of the situation in the embattled region, Archbishop Nkea says that people are trying to go back to their normal way of life, with some businesses and schools reopening even with the violence still going on.

“It must be said that, from a social point of view, life continues. People have learned to live with this absurd state of affairs,” the Local Ordinary of Bamenda says, and adds, “Shops, offices, and transport continue their business. Even schools are open, although not all, only in large centers, let's say that 60 percent of institutions are open.”

“In this period, the cities are full of Christmas decorations, churches are always full. People are tired, they want to go back to a normal life and with these demonstrations they take the opportunity to show it to everyone,” the Catholic Archbishop who has been at the helm of Bamenda since February 2020 following his transfer from Cameroon’s Mamfe Diocese says.

He says that the Church in Cameroon, through the intervention of Caritas and the Justice and Peace Commission, is taking action to support the new internally displaced people owing to the latest attacks.

Expressing confidence in a peaceful Cameroon in future, Archbishop Nkea says, “We really hope that Christmas can enlighten hearts and that the new year brings good news.”