PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN CAMEROON
Office of the MODERATOR P.O. Box 19 Buea
South West Region,
Republic of Cameroon
Tel +237 233322487
+237 670404925
e-mail: moderator_office@pcconline.org
January 11, 2021
Communique
A series of dreadful killings of civilians by the “armed separatist” and the military have ushered in the year 2021. These killings have seemingly blurred the ray of hope for the year 2021. 2020 was a very challenging year for Cameroonians and the world at large. Unfortunately, the sounds of guns and bombs have become the music of the dawn of the New Year. These series of dreadful killings defy some ongoing moves towards peace and the nationally organized Ecumenical / Inter-religious march for peace on January 2, 2021 by Religious Leaders in Cameroon. We the Religious Leaders will not be deterred in our prophetic role as the conscience of the Nation. We condemn forcefully and unequivocally all those who perpetrate violence in our Nation. Violence will never win, but justice and peace will.
On Wednesday January 6; we learned with consternation the killing of five, including one female journalist by a roadside bomb that exploded on a convoy of Government Officials being escorted by the military between Andek and Mbengwi.
On Friday, January 8; we learned with shock and disbelief the attack on the army post at Matazem – Santa with a casualty count of four military and two civilians.
On Saturday, January 9; “unidentified” men killed the five-year old son of our Pastor behind his house in Wum – Menchum Division.
On Sunday, January 10; it is alleged that at least 9 civilians including a child were killed in Mautu – Muyuka Sub-Division.
The prevalence of these gruesome and inhuman acts on Cameroonians indicates that this cycle of violence is in no way near the end. The complex nature of the attacks and counter-attacks, the further use of explosives insinuates the determination of both the military and the “armed separatist” forces to continue on the path of war. This is a worrisome concern because justice, dialogue and not war leads to sustainable peace.
As religious leaders, we condemn in the strongest terms all forms of violence that continues to bring untold pain and torture to Cameroonians. We condemn all those who waste life made in the image of God. We condemn all those who spill sacred blood, let them be reminded that God will hold each one of us accountable for acts that contradict his Will and Wisdom behind Creation. Furthermore, history will not pardon the main actors of this epoch of blood and war.
Once more, we call on the Government of Cameroon to take her responsibility to bring this conflict to an end and to earn her rightful place as the custodian of national life and welfare. We insist on the “armed separatist” and their Leaders to value human life and stop the torments and killings mated on the very people they are trying to free. As Religious Leaders, we would continue to lead our adherents to remain on their knees in prayers and will make ourselves available as mediators in the search for durable Peace and Justice.
The above dark picture of our country notwithstanding, we wish that you give a thought to Peace and Justice for this New Year 2021. May God bless your dreams, your families, your communities and our country Cameroon.
Yours for the Sake of the Faith,
Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba Moderator, Presbyterian Church in Cameroon.
President, Council of Protestant Churches in Cameroon.
President, Council of Inter-Religious Dialogue in Cameroon.
No comments:
Post a Comment