Group picture of Bishops of Cameroon
By Brian Mboh
Bishops of Cameroon in meeting for their 51st Ordinary Plenary Assembly, at the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, decried the country’s poor governance, the absence of a political will by government to solve the numerous ills affecting the socio-political atmosphere in Cameroon.
Looking at the recent cases of rape and child abuse, with the alleged rape of three-year-old pupil, Joyce Nawal at the Odza neighbourhood in Yaounde, the prelates said the church has always condemned acts of violation of human dignity, advocating for the population to continue living in liberty and security. According to the bishops, the situation at Odza, is a reflection of the tense socio-political atmosphere, under which the people of Cameroon are living with, particularly those residing in the two English speaking regions, faced with the armed conflicts for over years. As well as in the Extreme North marked by the Bokom Haram insurgencies.
“We can’t talk of a future, without a durable peace and forgetting to look at the profound cases of these crises in the regions of the North West and South West. Or still the activities of the Islamic Sect Boko Haram, in the Northern part of the country,” Mongsinor Andrew Nkea Fuanya, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamenda Archdiocese said.
Drawing from Pope Leo XVI’s speech during his visit to Cameroon, the bishop denounced poor governance and the lack of political will to find solutions to the numerous problems plaguing the country.
“If peace is a give from God, then whether in the church, civil society, government, we must know that we need peace. And do our best for peace and justice to reign among us. This is why I am saying that, the Bishops shall do their best, to see into it that the recommendations, of the Holy Father be implemented. Peace is not decreed, peace is lived and we must look at ways for Cameroonians to live in peace. And you heard one of the things, the Pope said ‘to have peace, is to listen, to your citizens’, the State must listen to its citizens. And this is very important for all us; the State can’t be as if it doesn’t have citizens, they must listen to the citizens. This is the big recommendation of the Pope. And I think, as the church we have to look for a way, to also listen,” he stated.
Archbishop Andrew Nkea in his opening address
The President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, warned about the negative usage of social media. Highlighting, how destructive it has been for the nation. He hailed the bishops’ prayers for a peaceful atmosphere, after last year’s October Presidential Elections and called for more prayers for a peaceful municipal and legislative election, knowing how disastrous the aftermath of an election always appeared to be.
“The Holy Father gave us a huge assignment, which is that of the restoration of peace in our nation, Cameroon. Peace is a fundamental human right indispensable for the development of a country, contributes to social cohesion, economic progress and the respect for human dignity,” he said.
He reminded the bishops of the Pope’s statement, which is that based on the numerous challenges faced by the State, especially with the socio-political conflicts, that has led to the lost of lives, properties, separation of families, children not going to school, with a hopeless set of youths, who no longer see in a bright future. Urging them to preach against violence, war and the usage of heavy ammunitions, that will be able to open people’s hearts, give confidence and equitable justice for all.
As he outlined ways for peace, he said the young must be considered in seeking peace, the State must create employment, that will pull them out of their frustrations. Investing in education and training of the youth, is a strategic strides for peace. It is the only way to curb the overflow of wonderful talents to other parts of the world. He adds, it is another way to combat prostitution and drug consumption, which tends to take young lives in an increasing dramatic way.
