Yaounde: As Cameroon continues to reel from the aftermath of a tense presidential election, Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda, President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, has called for âgenuine dialogueâ between the government and the opposition, warning that continued violence and repression threaten the nationâs unity and future. Speaking to Vatican News following a pilgrimage to Rome, Archbishop Nkea emphasized that only inclusive and honest dialogue can restore peace to a country still scarred by division, mistrust, and the unresolved Anglophone crisis.
Cameroonâs Constitutional Council recently confirmed President Paul Biyaâs re-election, extending his already 43-year rule. At 92 years old, Biya begins his eighth term, having led the nation since 1982. The announcement, however, has been met with anger and skepticism from opposition supporters, who allege widespread electoral irregularities.
Following the declaration on October 27, protests erupted across several cities. By November 4, Reuters reported that security forces had killed at least 48 civilians during crackdowns on demonstrations supporting opposition candidate Issa Tchiroma Bakary. While public unrest has since subsided, observers describe an atmosphere of fear and resentment lingering across the country.
âItâs tragic that democracy, which should unite and empower people, has become a cause of death and destruction,â Archbishop Nkea said. âWe cannot destroy our own nation because of an election result. Protesting is a right, but it must be done in peaceful and lawful ways.â
The Archbishop urged both the government and opposition leaders to put aside their pride and engage in meaningful dialogue, rather than resorting to repression or violence.
âMy call to all Cameroonians is to hold their peace, hold their anger, and express themselves through lawful means,â he said. âBut the government, too, has a duty. It cannot focus on holding power while its people are dying and losing everything. The authorities must open their hearts and sit down with the opposition to find a path toward peace.â
He warned that the governmentâs continued reliance on force risks alienating citizens further. âGenuine dialogue is not weakness; it is strength,â the Archbishop emphasized. âYou cannot govern a country in peace when its people feel unheard.â
Even as post-election tensions dominate headlines, Archbishop Nkea reminded the world that Cameroonâs Anglophone Crisis, now in its ninth year, continues to simmer in the background. The conflict between separatist groups and government forces has devastated the English-speaking regions of the Northwest and Southwest, displacing hundreds of thousands and leaving towns militarized.
âWhile there is more calm today than in 2017 or 2018, the crisis is not over,â he said. âThere are still pockets of separatist fighters who make life miserable for ordinary people, and unfortunately, both sides separatists and soldiers have committed abuses.â
He noted that although violence has lessened, deep grievances remain unaddressed, and peace will remain fragile until the underlying issues of marginalization and governance are tackled. âThere must be continued dialogue,â he said, ânot just ceasefires or speeches, but real listening to end what we now call the Anglophone problem.â
Archbishop Nkea also reflected on the long-term social changes caused by years of conflict. Nearly a million people were displaced during the height of the crisis, many fleeing to Nigeria or other regions within Cameroon. Yet, he pointed to an unexpected outcome a new form of national integration.
âThe crisis, painful as it has been, has mixed Cameroonians in a way that may make it impossible to divide them again,â he observed. âIn markets and farms across the country, you find people from the Northwest and Southwest living and working alongside those from other regions. Many have started new lives, opened businesses, and built relationships that transcend regional barriers.â
While some displaced families have returned home, especially to urban centers where schools and parishes are once again active, others have chosen to stay in their new communities. âThose who settled and integrated are thriving,â he said. âBut those who fled to Nigeria or remained in insecure villages still face hardship. The peripheries remain unsafe because of sporadic separatist activity.â
Archbishop Nkeaâs message carries both urgency and optimism. As a spiritual leader who recently led over 100 Cameroonian pilgrims to Rome for the upcoming Jubilee of Hope 2025, he continues to urge his compatriots to seek reconciliation through dialogue, forgiveness, and shared purpose.
âCameroon has endured much political strife, conflict, and bloodshed,â he said. âBut no one can live forever, not even leaders. The country must look beyond individuals and build a system of peace and justice. Only by talking to one another with honesty and humility can we heal and move forward.â
As the dust settles on yet another disputed election, Archbishop Nkeaâs call for dialogue may be Cameroonâs most credible moral compass a reminder that lasting peace cannot be imposed by force, but must be built through listening, understanding, and the courage to begin again.