Like Nigeria, neighbouring Cameroon also suffers from increasing outbreaks of violence. In 2019, conflicts between the separatists of the English-speaking parts of the country and the French-speaking central government have further increased. So far, 2,000 people have been killed and 400,000 have had to flee their homes. The Catholic Church laments the abductions of priests and church personnel. Not without reason, Cameroon is therefore one of the countries in Africa that ACN supports most.
For a long time, the central African republic of Cameroon with its 24 million inhabitants was considered relatively stable in contrast to its crisis-ridden neighbours. However, what began in 2016 with protest marches against the marginalisation of the English-speaking population escalated into an ongoing armed conflict that is increasingly inhibiting social and economic life.
During the outbreaks of violence, our priests proved to be true shepherds for the people.
Bishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda
In addition, the violence of the terrorist group Boko Haram has spilled over from Nigeria to Cameroon at the border in the north.
The Catholic Church, to which 38% of Cameroonians belong, raised its voice again in 2019 against violence and human rights violations in the country, which are committed by both state security forces and separatists. As a result, it is caught between the fronts in its efforts for peace and reconciliation and is under attack from both sides.
ACN will not leave the local Church stranded in this situation. The focus of our help is on training future priests. Fortunately, there are many vocations, but the local Church does not have the resources to pay for their training without outside help.