News

Cameroonian Separatists Release Kidnapped Catholics

The group were abducted from a church in the restive anglophone region, and held for a month. The Pope had called for their release.

English-speaking separatists released five priests, a nun, a catechist, a cook and a teenager they kidnapped a month ago from a church in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.

The release on 23 Oct follows worldwide international appeals from governments, humanitarian organisations as well as the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. 

In a statement made shortly after their release, one of the priests thanked their abductors for their “hospitality”.

“We want to thank the freedom fighters of Ambazonia for having freed us and for their hospitality. Many thanks”, the priest declared.

One of the several faction leaders of the Anglophone separatists, Mark Bareta, had issued a statement on Oct 21 saying the abduction of the church workers and Christians was not part of the separatist struggle.

“It is heartbreaking to see the video of the Catholic priests/nun kidnapped in Nchang, Manyu and detained for one month now. It is horrible for any group to do that. That does not represent the struggle. Those keeping them, please, let them go”, Mark Bareta declared in a video on social media.

The group were taken from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nchang in Manyu Division of the restive Southwest region on 16 Sept.

The separatist kidnappers had asked for a ransom of US$100,000 for their release which they eventually reduced to US$50,000, but the Catholic Church refused to pay the ransom saying such payment would constitute a “dangerous precedent”.

It is not however known whether any ransom was in fact paid before the release of the nine.

In a statement issued shortly after the release, Bishop of the Mamfe diocese, Aloysius Abangalo Fondong condemned “the act of desecrating the church, in the strongest terms possible and to decry the need for the enhancement of human dignity. Taking away the freedom of our fellow brothers and sisters in order to make money at all cost is inhuman.” 

The Bishop thanked “all those who joined us in this collective effort in praying for the safety and release of our brothers and sisters”.

Shortly after the abduction of the priests and Christians, Pope Francis had appealed for their release.

“I join the appeal of the Bishops of Cameroon for the liberation of several persons kidnapped in the Diocese of Mamfe. I pray for them and for the inhabitants of the Bamenda ecclesiastical province. May the saviour appease the hearts and the social life of this dear country”, Pope Francis had said.

Summary not available.


Support Our Journalism

There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.

To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.

Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.

Donate Here

Of course, we want our exclusive stories to reach as many people as possible and would appreciate it if you republish them. We only ask that you properly attribute to HumAngle, generally including the author's name, a link to the publication and a line of acknowledgement. Contact us for enquiries or requests.

Contact Us

Chief Bisong Etahoben

Chief Bisong Etahoben is a Cameroonian investigative journalist and traditional ruler. He writes for international media and has participated in several transnational investigations. Etahoben won the first-ever Cameroon Investigative Journalist Award in 1992. He serves as a member of a number of international investigative journalism professional bodies including the Forum for African Investigative Reporters (FAIR). He is HumAngle's Francophone and Central Africa editor.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Translate »