Pope Pope Leo XIV has delivered a powerful message condemning what he called “a handful of tyrants” driving war and exploitation, during a peace-focused visit to Bamenda in Cameroon, a region long affected by a violent separatist conflict.
Speaking in the heart of the crisis zone in western Cameroon, the Pope urged global leaders and armed actors to abandon violence and exploitation, calling for a “decisive change of course” toward peace, justice, and human dignity. His remarks were delivered during a series of interfaith peace events involving Christian, Muslim, and traditional religious leaders aimed at supporting reconciliation efforts.
The visit to Bamenda, a central hub in Cameroon’s Anglophone separatist conflict, drew large crowds of worshippers who filled the streets in celebration. The Pope presided over a peace gathering at St. Joseph Cathedral alongside a Mankon traditional chief, a Presbyterian leader, an imam, and a Catholic nun, highlighting efforts to promote unity across religious divides.
The conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions dates back to long-standing tensions following colonial-era divisions between French and British administration. Since separatist fighters launched an armed movement in 2017 seeking independence, the violence has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, according to conflict monitors such as the International Crisis Group.
Addressing an estimated 20,000 people during a Mass at Bamenda’s airfield, Pope Leo warned against corruption, exploitation, and the misuse of religion to justify violence. He also criticized external actors profiting from Africa’s natural resources, echoing previous calls from the Vatican for an end to resource-driven conflict.
Cameroon, which holds significant reserves of oil, gas, and minerals, has long attracted foreign investment, but has also faced criticism over how resource wealth intersects with political instability and armed conflict.
The Pope emphasized that Bamenda could serve as a global example of resilience and peacebuilding, urging communities to reject division and embrace cooperation. His visit comes amid ongoing but stalled peace talks between the Cameroonian government and separatist groups, with both sides continuing to accuse each other of bad faith.
Local voices, however, expressed skepticism about the impact of the visit. Some residents and survivors of the conflict said that without political solutions from those in power, international appeals alone may not be enough to end the violence.
Despite a temporary ceasefire declared by separatist fighters to allow the papal visit, the conflict remains unresolved, with intermittent violence continuing in parts of the region.