Archbishop Of Bamenda Stresses That Repeated Attacks On Innocent Civilians, Will Not Provide Solution To The Anglophone Crisis

Assures the people of Bamenda that they have not been abandoned by God

The Archbishop of Bamenda, His Grace Andrew Fuanya Nkea, has once more strongly condemned the targeting killing of innocent citizens by separatist fighters, in the ongoing Anglophone Crisis which since escalated into an armed conflict between Government troops and separatist fighters, in  the two Anglophone Regions in Cameroon. The Archbishop has stressed that the repeated attack on innocent civilians is not what will provide a solution to the escalated Anglophone Crisis.

Mgr Andrew Nkea made this assertion in a statement he issued on September 19, 2024, following another bloody incident that occurred in Bamenda, precisely around the Nkwen Market in Bamenda III Sub- – division. An improvised explosive device thought to have been planted by separatists  that declared a two week of Ghost Town to disrupt school resumption programme scheduled by the Government, was detonated on September 18. According to the Mezam SDO, Simon Emile Mooh, who issued a press release on that September 18 following the incident, the explosion of the improvised explosive device or locally made bomb, occurred at about 11am on that fateful day around the Nkwen market, killing one person, 30 year old Ms Chung Juliet. Six other persons were wounded, amongst them an eleven month old baby. The Mezam SDO noted that all the victims of the September 18 incident were females.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Bamenda’s statement issued on September 19, following the bloody incident around the Nkwen Market, was a message of consolation which he addressed to the families that were affected by the explosion. Apparently considering that Bamenda has unfortunately become the town that registers the highest number of killings in Cameroon each month, and thus the most insecure town in the country, Mgr Andrew Nkea however assured the population that contrary to what many people are saying, God has not abandoned Bamenda.

Below Is the September 19, 2024 message of the Archbishop of Bamenda, Andrew Nkea, which The Mentor News has decided to publish in its entirety:

   ARCHDIOCESE OF BAMENDA

MESSAGE OF CONSOLATION TO THE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THE RECENT EXPLOSION AT MILE 2 NKWEN ON THURSDAY, 19^th SEPTEMBER 2024.

It is with a heavy heart that I learnt of the horrific explosion that occurred within the morning hours of Thursday, 19^th September 2024 at Mile 2 Nkwen. I wish to assure the affected families of my closeness and that of the entire people of God in the Archdiocese of Bamenda, to them. We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Chung Juliette who lost her life in this calculated barbaric incident. May she, rest in perfect peace. We continue to pray for comfort, strength and healing on those injured.

The senseless violence and loss of lives caused by the ongoing Anglophone Crisis is devastating and painful. We stand in solidarity with the innocent civilians. I have often said that the repeated attacks on innocent civilians will not solve the problem. We therefore condemn all acts of violence and advocate for peace, dialogue, and reconciliation. I want to assure the people of Bamenda that they have not been abandoned by God. The Lord continues to tell us that we are not left alone: “I shall not fail you nor desert you, and so we can say with confidence; “With the Lord on our side, we shall not fear – – – -“.  Heb. 13: 5-6).

We call on the perpetrators of such and similar acts to refrain from them, and seek peaceful ways to resolve the crisis. A peaceful solution is the only way out: “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God” (Mt 5:9). While condemning the killing of innocent civilians, we appeal to all to have respect for the sacredness and dignity of the human person. At this moment, I assure you of my prayers and I implore you to hold firm to our God who never abandons or forgets his children. We trust in the words of the Prophet Isaiah. “Zion was saying, Yaweh has abandoned me, the Lord has forgotten me. Can a woman forget her baby at the breast; feel no pity for the child she has borne? Even if these were to forget, I shall not forget you – – – – your destroyer and despoilers will soon go away”. (Isaiah 49: 14 – 17).

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace and Principal Patroness of Cameroon continue to intercede for us, so that, true peace may return in our midst.

Yours Sincerely in Christ

Andrew F. Nkea

Archbishop of Bamenda