Their appeal, directed at President Paul Biya, who has held office for over four decades, is seen as a bold intervention by the Catholic Church in the country’s political landscape.
The bishops expressed concerns over the prolonged political status quo and emphasized the urgent need for fresh leadership to address the challenges facing Cameroon. Their call for President Biya to step down has drawn sharp responses from government officials, who have defended the president’s tenure and questioned the Church’s involvement in politics.
This development traces back to earlier efforts by religious leaders to engage citizens in the electoral process. In April 2024, the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, alongside other faith leaders, urged the public to register in large numbers to vote in the upcoming elections. The initiative was seen as a bid to encourage active civic participation and pave the way for change through democratic means.
“Our country is on the brink of a pivotal moment in its history. The year 2025 will be dedicated to the presidential election. We urge all Catholic Christians and people of goodwill to engage and exercise their civic rights by registering to vote,” Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea of Bamenda, president of Cameroon’s National Episcopal Conference, said during the 49th bishops’ plenary assembly in Yaoundé in early April.
In his address, Archbishop Nkea encouraged Cameroonian citizens to “cast their votes conscientiously and effectively.” His remarks represented the collective position of bishops from Cameroon’s 26 dioceses and echoed similar sentiments shared by leaders across different faiths and societal groups.
As the country moves closer to the elections, the recent call for leadership change by the bishops has sparked lively discussions nationwide. Social media platforms have become hotbeds of debate, with opinions split between those supporting the Church’s stance and others questioning its political involvement.
Speaking to DW’s Eddy Micah Jnr., Rev. Fr. Solomon Lyonga Ikundi, Director of Communications of the Diocese of Buea, clarified the bishops’ motivations. “The Church has always stood for the truth and will not shy away from addressing issues that impact the lives of the people,” he remarked, emphasizing the Church’s commitment to justice and the common good.