By Nfor Hanson Nchanji
BAMENDA, Cameroon — Long before the Vatican announced this Apostolic Journey, the bishops of the Bamenda Provincial Episcopal Conference (BAPEC) were the lone voices crying in the wilderness. For years, they have navigated the treacherous waters of the North West and South West regions, often caught between the suspicion of the state and the demands of the “Restorationists.”
This deep-dive report examines the tireless mediation efforts of figures like Archbishop Andrew Nkea. We look at how the Church’s stance on human rights and social justice has made this Papal visit possible.
As the world prepares to watch the Pope celebrate Mass in Bamenda on April 16, we analyze the Church’s Roadmap for Peace.
It is a roadmap built on three pillars:
- The cessation of hostilities.
- The release of political prisoners.
- A grand, inclusive negotiation.
The Pope isn’t just coming to pray; he is coming to validate a peace process that has been stalled for too long. The Roadmap for Peace championed by the BAPEC bishops and now elevated by the impending Papal visit is a comprehensive plan fr normarcly to return to the Anglophone regions.
In August 2024, BAPEC https://shorturl.at/3KoL7 and called on both parties to exercise restrain. They proposed:
1. The Cessation of Hostilities
- Bilateral Truce: A call for both the Cameroon military and “Restorationist” forces to lay down weapons simultaneously.
- Demilitarization of Daily Life: The withdrawal of heavy combat units from civilian residential areas to restore a sense of normalcy.
- Humanitarian Corridors: Ensuring safe passage for aid to reach the thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) currently surviving in the forests.
2. The Release of Political Prisoners
- Amnesty as Healing: The release of those detained in connection with the socio-political crisis since 2016, viewed as a vital “goodwill gesture” to lower tensions.
- Homecoming: Prioritizing the return of community leaders and youth to their families to begin the process of social reintegration.
3. A Grand, Inclusive Negotiation
- Neutral Mediation: Moving beyond state-led initiatives toward a dialogue moderated by neutral international parties (with the Vatican now providing the primary moral and diplomatic weight).
- No Exclusions: Insisting that all stakeholders—including diaspora leaders and armed groups—be at the table to ensure the root causes of the “Anglophone Problem” are addressed.
As we look toward April 16, it is clear that these points represent more than a checklist; they are a survival strategy. Archbishop Andrew Nkea has often stated that “peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of justice.” By validating this roadmap, the Pope is effectively telling the world that the “BAPEC way” is the only viable path left for a nation weary of conflict.
But will the Pope perform miracles to restore peace if the main actors refuse to change? A Bamenda resident told CNA that, “The Pope will not and cannot bring justice to Cameroon. Cameroonians have to find justice in local institutions, local leadership, and courageous civil society advocacy. As far as prayers are concerned, God knows what we need. I guess he has been hearing the prayers of Cameroonians all these years. The problem, therefore, is not a shortage of prayers,” he said, adding that, “On his impact, all I can say is that his predecessor seems to have tried and failed, so I am not sure he will meet listening ears and willing minds in Yaounde. I also do not know how hard he will try. Do not forget the genesis of this visit.”
This pessimistic view follows almost half a dozen attempts to mediate between Anglophone separatists and the central government, all of which were futile. Cameroonians of English expression have lost hope. They are now biting their fingers and crossing others to see if something tangible will come out of the Pope’s visit.
“The Church has played a critical role in addressing the ongoing conflict in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon, and as a young woman, I have been part of this initiative…I want to say this very clearly: the Church has its role and, to some extent, I trust the Church as being a critical mediator,” a female peace advocate said, asking not to be named.
She alleges that though the Church can be a good mediator, some of its leaders have been bought over by the government. “The government is willing to dish out money to religious leaders—huge sums of money—I do not trust them. They are not able to stand up and say they want an end to this crisis because of their meddling with the government.”
She alleges that as much as the Church wants to speak and ask the government to dialogue, they are also trying to protect their interests within the government. She opts for Anglophones to stand up and speak for themselves.
“People are still kidnapping people for ransom, military are still being deployed in the NWSW regions, in some places children are not going to school, women are still being raped, kidnapped, and ransom paid,” the peace leader narrated, saying things have not changed despite certain efforts.
“For all these years, how loud have the voices of the Church been? I was expecting them to be very categorical; the Church has done greater things in other countries… I do not think I am being expected to believe that religious leaders are doing a lot. I think the Pope is coming in a ceremonial and lifetime opportunity for Cameroonians.”
She ended by saying the Pope will not even meet the people who are suffering the negative effects of the crisis. These are the people who are supposed to meet the Pope and discuss their ordeals. Going to Cameroon and not hearing from these people will change nothing, she said.
