Cameroon government lauds Catholic Church’s peace-building efforts ahead of election

ACI Africa, Aug 17, 2025 / 07:00 am (CNA).

The minister of state, secretary-general at the presidency of Cameroon has commended the Catholic Church in the Central African nation for committing to peace-building as the country prepares for its presidential election in October.

A statement on Aug. 13 said Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh invited a delegation from the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) to the Unity Palace — also called the Etoudi Palace, which serves as the official presidental residence and administrative headquarters — at the directive of President Paul Biya to consult with them on matters of peace ahead of the election.

The NECC secretary-general said in the statement that the minister, in his remarks to the bishops, recognizes “the Catholic Church’s contribution to peace-building” before discussing with them how to foster peace during the election period.

Father Paul Nyaga said that, considering the sensitive moment the country is going through, particularly with the approaching presidential election, the minister told the bishops that he invited them “to seek their contribution to ensure a climate of peace in the country before, during, and after the election.”

In addition, Cameroon’s minister of state is said to have emphasized the administration’s determination to commit to fair and transparent elections.

Responding to the minister’s remarks, Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea of the Archdiocese of Bamenda clarified that the bishops “came as men of God, carrying the hopes and concerns of the people.”

According to the NECC Aug. 13 statement, Nkea, who serves as the NECC president, recalled the consistent positions of the Catholic bishops in the country, who he said have expressed their calls for peace messages and pastoral letters.

He highlighted the message on the socio-economic situation of Cameroon, dated Jan. 11, and the pastoral letter on the occasion of the presidential and regional elections March 28 and said the bishops expressed their position through the documents that were handed over to the minister.

Nkea reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s nonpartisan position when it comes to politics.

The archbishop said the Church is not taking sides but is “determined to continue its evangelization mission by promoting justice, reconciliation, and peace, serving all Cameroonians, sharing in their joys and hopes, as well as their sorrows and anxieties.”

“To this end, the Church encourages the multiplication of consultation platforms with public institutions to strengthen cooperation in the service of the common good,” he said during the Aug. 13 visit to the Unity Palace.

Individual Catholic bishops in Cameroon have also voiced their desire for peace in the country, decrying behaviors likely to jeopardize peace-building efforts.

In his pastoral letter shared with ACI Africa on Aug. 12, Archbishop Samuel Kleda of the Archdiocese of Douala denounced what he termed as “anti-Gospel acts,” including corruption and bad governance that he said are causing discontent among Cameroonians as they prepare for the October presidential election.

Kleda said the Central African nation is “shaken by multiple evils that afflict all social strata” and is in a great need for peace, justice, and reconciliation especially during this electioneering period.

“The malaise that is eating away at our country at the present time and which is causing widespread discontent in the hearts of citizens in this pre-electoral period has its roots in the anti-Gospel acts that are being instituted in the management of our country,” he said.

The Cameroon archbishop also highlighted the absence of democracy, widespread poverty, and unemployment, illegal immigration, a poor road network, and difficulty in accessing water and electricity as additional acts causing discontent among his compatriots. 

In his pastoral letter addressed to clergy, women and men religious, and the laity, Kleda also highlighted the “nebulous management of oil,” mining injustices, and security crisis in the country’s northern region as additional factors behind discontent. 

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/265981/cameroon-government-lauds-catholic-church-s-peace-building-efforts-ahead-of-election