The Ndop region, in the North-West of Cameroon, remains one of the most vulnerable areas affected by the Anglophone conflict that has gripped the country since 2016. Small towns marked by the presence of armed groups, widespread instability, and recurring kidnappings form the backdrop to the abduction of six priests—five of whom have already been released, while one remains in captivity. “The Ndop area, like many others in the North-West and South-West regions, remains extremely dangerous,” Archbishop Andrew Nkea Fuanya of Bamenda told SIR. He described a territory “where numerous armed groups persist, scattered across almost every village, making daily life very difficult.”

The kidnapping, he explained, was carried out by a separatist leader known as Ndiva: “He is demanding a ransom, but I cannot pay it.”

Meanwhile, local communities are trying to assist the priests by delivering food supplies, although they are not permitted to meet them in person. The released priests have already provided a detailed account of the events. The Archbishop emphasised how vital the Pope’s support is in a context marked by violence that remains largely invisible to the international community: “We are particularly grateful to the Holy Father for recalling the abduction of our priests and for his prayer during the Angelus.” He pointed out that

The Anglophone crisis in Cameroon “is often forgotten,” while in the villages “there are victims who receive no recognition anywhere.”

For this reason, he considers the Pope’s words a concrete sign of closeness: “The fact that he chooses to speak about it publicly is a great consolation for us. It makes us feel that the Church has not forgotten us.”

The Archdiocese of Bamenda has taken an unequivocal position on the issue of abductions. “We made it clear from the outset that we do not pay ransom,” Archbishop Nkea stressed. With approximately 250 priests in the diocese, any payment would risk triggering a cycle of further kidnappings. “If we paid for even one, armed groups would regularly return to abduct more priests for money.” The pastoral strategy is rooted in the social structure of the Anglophone regions, where the militias come from the very villages where ministers live and work. Therefore, efforts focus on community accountability:

“We are making Christians aware, urging them to engage in dialogue with their relatives and acquaintances involved in armed groups.”

In this scenario, relations with the State remain sensitive. “The situation in the Anglophone regions is very complex. Involving civil authorities or security forces in the priests’ release could worsen the situation,” the Archbishop revealed. Explicit engagement with state structures would be interpreted by separatists as political alignment: “If we collaborated openly with state forces, the separatists would accuse us of siding with the government, exacerbating tensions.”

Essential facts on the Anglophone conflict

Pastoral life continues amid ongoing uncertainty. “In a context like ours, it is very difficult to offer security guarantees,” Archbishop Nkea observed. This affects not only bishops: parish priests, religious, and the faithful also live under constant threat. “I cannot claim to be safe—nor are the parish priests, the religious, or those serving in our communities.” Yet the Church remains present: “We priests and bishops remain here out of love for our people and fidelity to the vocation we have received.” The ministry is carried out in full awareness of its fragility, but without ceasing to serve:

“The truth is that there is always a grave danger to our lives. But we continue our ministry because we have chosen to give our lives to Christ and to proclaim the Gospel even in extremely difficult circumstances.”

In the absence of certainty, what remains is a shared journey with communities seeking accompaniment and presence: “We continue to walk with our people, with courage and trust in the Lord.” (SIR, but headline rejigged)