Africa’s Second-longest Serving President Re-elected in Cameroon, Bishop Appeals for Prayers for Peace amid Protests

“Let us pray for our country, Cameroon. May justice be done. May the results announced help bring us together, not divide us. May they bring peace, not conflict,” Bishop Bibi said on October 26 at the Divine Mercy Co-Cathedral of Buea Diocese.

He warned that elections in many African nations often become flashpoints for violence, urging Cameroonians to resist being drawn into unrest. 

“We see how disputes over elections have triggered violence in many African countries. Let us pray that the Spirit of God, through the intercession of Mary, will touch every heart so that truth and justice may prevail,” the Cameroonian Catholic Bishop said.

Making reference to the ongoing crisis in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions, he reminded the people of God of the devastating effects of war. 

“We who have lived through conflict for the past eight years know what war means. Let us not open the door to another that could consume the entire nation,” Bishop Bibi said.

More in Africa

Missionary Congregation Joins Call for Prayers for 265 Children still Held after Nigerian School Abductions

Read the article

He added, “May this moment be one of national reflection. Let every leader and citizen commit to justice, dialogue, and unity so that Cameroon may continue to live in peace.”

President since 1982 in the Central African nation, where Presidents have a seven-year mandate, President Biya is the world’s oldest Head of State.

Constitutional amendments that the 92-year-old President’s party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), spearheaded in 2008, abolishing the two-term presidential limit, brought about his “extraordinarily long tenure”. 

After the presidential polls, the opposition contender, Tchiroma, reportedly announced himself the winner.

His declaration was promptly dismissed by Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji, who denounced it as unlawful and “a matter of serious concern.”

The ruling CPDM also condemned Tchiroma’s claim as a “grotesque hoax,” maintaining that only the Constitutional Council is authorized to officially declare the winner.

However, there are reportedly widespread concerns about electoral transparency, fairness, and integrity. Opposition groups, civil society, and media have flagged possible irregularities.

On October 19, members of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon (NECC) expressed satisfaction with the peaceful atmosphere that marked Election Day but voiced concern about several irregularities that, they said, “seriously hinder our progress towards democracy.”

On his part, Bishop Paul Lontsié-Keuné of the Catholic Diocese of Bafoussam in Cameroon urged all stakeholders in the country’s October 12 presidential election to “respect the truth of the ballots,” stressing that the dignity of citizens is upheld only when their votes are recognized and honored.

Bishop Emmanuel Abbo of the country’s Catholic Diocese of Ngaoundéré called on Cameroonians to look beyond surface-level solutions to the tensions following the October 12 presidential polls, warning that peace cannot be achieved without addressing the pain and injustice felt by many citizens.

(Story continues below)

ACI Africa was founded in 2019. We provide free, up-to-the-minute news affecting the Catholic Church in Africa, giving particular emphasis to the words of the Holy Father and happenings of the Holy See, to any person with access to the internet. ACI Africa is proud to offer free access to its news items to Catholic dioceses, parishes, and websites, in order to increase awareness of the activities of the universal Church and to foster a sense of Catholic thought and culture in the life of every Catholic.