Solution or part of the problem? Many Cameroonians seem confused with the nuanced messages from the clergy. Photo credit Buea Diocese
There is surprise and frustration that Cameroon’s religious leaders are mute on the likely candidacy of 91-year-old Paul Biya in elections later this year. Just last week, there was optimism that the annual bishops’ seminar in Buea would call upon President Biya not to stand for re-election.
Reports of the annual bishops' conference in Buea indicated that the bishops of Douala, Yagoua and Ngaoundere urged the president to step back from the election race. This followed a significant statement from Douala-based Archbishop Kleda, a long-time critic of the administration, who for the first time called upon Biya by name to step down.
However, some bishops were allegedly nudged by government authorities to remain silent during the National Episcopal Conference from January 4th to 11th. On January 8th, the minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, called the Papal Nuncio, His Grace Jose Alvenilo Bettencourt to a meeting, during which the minister allegedly cautioned bishops not to make statements that could “destabilise peace”. The Papal Nuncio delivered a sealed message from Pope Francis to Atanga Nji.
Following open criticism of the administration by Archbishop Kleda, there was widespread expectation that the bishops would use the seminar’s platform to call upon Biya to retire. However, in its final report, the bishops urged the public to participate in voting, highlighting the burden faced by citizens due to inflation.
The thirty-six bishops and archbishops at the seminar called upon the state to investigate and prosecute corruption. However, critics pointed out that Biya has been promising to tackle corruption since he took power in 1982. The international corruption monitor, Transparency International ranks Cameroon as 140th out of 180 nations worldwide.
An increasing number of Cameroonians are shocked, outraged and agitated that a nearly 92-year-old man that has been president for 42 years would want to seek another seven years term in a country now plagued by multiple vicious, multi-sectoral crises, and where the median age is 19, says Dr Christopher Fomunyoh
According to Dr Christopher Fomunyoh, a highly placed Cameroonian with the National Democratic Institute in Washington DC, “Surely, decrying in the final communique of the Bishops Conference the candidacy of Paul Biya who is now the oldest serving president in the world, would have given the controversy more visibility: but by now, every Cameroonian knows what the bishops think and how they feel…An increasing number of Cameroonians are shocked, outraged and agitated that a nearly 92-year-old man that has been president for 42 years would want to seek another seven years term in a country now plagued by multiple vicious, multi-sectoral crises, and where the median age is 19.”
A less subtle analysis comes from a political prisoner who must remain anonymous to protect his safety: “The church works hand in glove with politicians. When the people want to protest or kick out useless leaders, it is bishops who come to their pulpits, distracting people with Bible quotations.”
Other analysts point to the growing autocratic nature of the state as highlighted by shrinking political and civic space that has seen the banning of NGOs and open threats by government authorities to close down some churches.
Paul Biya, the Cameroon People’s Democratic Movement leader, has been in power since 1982, although his election victories have not been judged as ‘free and fair’ by international observers. Freedom House, which monitors freedom around the world, considers Cameroon “not free,” giving it a score of 15 out of 100.
Democracy activists had hoped the Catholic Church would exercise more overt influence over the Biya administration. Previously, France was considered to have potential leverage. However, France’s influence is dwindling in Francophone Africa. Activists in Cameroon are now scrambling to find other avenues to make their voices heard. The presidential election is due to be held in October.
