Bamenda is gripped by a blend of hope and unease as it prepares to receive Pope Leo XIV on April 16, part of his three-day visit to Cameroon.
Authorities in the North West Region say the city is 97% ready, with final logistics preparations nearing completion. Yet, recent security incidents have left residents with mixed feelings.
On Wednesday, April 8, a man originally from the West region, was injured when a rock pierced through the roof of his home near the Handicraft Centre in Nkwen during an explosion. He was reportedly struck while asleep. The source of the blast remains unknown, though residents say it was followed by exchanges of gunfire.
Another explosion was reported on Sunday, April 12, around Mobile Nkwen, though with no casualties recorded.
Residents of Bamenda have reported several mass arrests by security forces in the city.
In recent days, several trucks carrying security forces have also been seen moving into the city.
Despite this tense backdrop, preparations for the Pope’s visit continue at full pace. A Vatican security delegation arrived on April 12 to inspect facilities, including the Bamenda Airport and the Cathedral.
National Coordinator of the Papal visit, Okie Johnson expressed confidence, noting that only minor protocol and sanitation adjustments remain.
“From the last visit and what we have seen today, I want to say that Bamenda is 97% ready to receive the Pope. We landed safely at the airport. You need to be in the air to see what we saw in Bamenda today,” Okie said.
Governor Adolphe Lele Lafrique confirmed that the airport has been renovated and is ready, while Archbishop Andrew Nkea described the visit as a rare moment of hope for a region affected by years of conflict. He said the Pope’s presence symbolizes solidarity and peace.
“The Mankon people are ready. We will come out in our numbers to welcome the Pope. Just the fact that he will be stepping on his legs in the Mankon land is already a huge blessing,” says an elite from Mankon.
A peace builder Dr. Imma Mkong is hopeful that the Pope’s visit will rekindle hope for an end to the nearly decade old conflict.
“I think that the Pope’s visit to Cameroon is particularly important to the anglophone community because it is hoped that the pope, as a moral global authority, will address the Anglophone crisis that has rocked the NW and SW for 9 years running, thus giving the crisis a more global attention and increasing the potential of International intervention and support. Any message of peace sent by the pope will definitely carry more weight”
Imma has been in the peace building sector for almost 10 years , she thinks de-escalating the conflict will redice the war flames. “As a Cameroonian peacebuilder , the “small flames of peace” I am currently protecting include, but are not limited to, mentorship and training- I train different stakeholders on their role in peace building, particularly journalists on Peace report, ir reporting to deescalate instead of escalate conflicts. facilitation of respectful dialogue – I provide platforms for respectful dialogue and promote non violent means of conflict resolution. I also provide platforms for healing and reconciliation, through the peace concerts. I also provide an informal platform where peacebuilders can collaborate and network through The Peace Brunch held monthly.” She said.
Across Bamenda, roads are being rehabilitated, choirs are rehearsing, and residents are mobilizing for the historic moment.
