Armed conflict in NW, SW: Why Biya should heed Bishops' advice.

"We are going through a very delicate moment in our country. We are concerned about how we must maintain peace until the end of this year. We have called on all Cameroonians to come out and vote en masse, because it is the right of every citizen to choose who they believe can govern our country in the coming years," he said.

But why is it a "delicate moment"? The conflict in the North West and South West regions, though at a lull, remains a threat to the security not only in the region but throughout the country.

As we reported yesterday, at least two officers of the Rapid Intervention Battalion, BIR, are reported to have died on Monday, May 5, 2025, when armoured cars, transporting soldiers, came across Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, buried on the road. The incident happened along the Muyuka-Munyenge stretch in Muyuka Subdivision, Fako Division of the South West Region.

According to reports, the soldiers were among squadrons of officers in at least two armoured cars. The IEDs are said to have been buried in some sections of the road and detonated when the military cars drove on the area. Residents familiar with the incident detailed to The Guardian Post that the incident happened a few kilometres after the locality of Bafia. The contingent onboard the amoured cars was said to have come to the end of its mission in Bafia and Munyenge villages. The team was said to be headed for Muyuka, when the incident happened.

Some residents are quoted as having stated that those who planted the IEDs may have walked through forest paths from distant localities as far as in Meme Division to carry out the attack.

No official statement has been made about the incident, which is a chain of sporadic killings of civilians, troops and separatist fighters that has become common in the two regions since the conflict started more than six years ago.

The government has, however, taken several initiatives and appeasement measures to end the conflict, with the joker being the Major National Dialogue, which was said to be a panacea to bring peace and security.

Speaking in Yaoundé on March 18 during a meeting to assess the ground covered in implementing the resolutions of the Major National Dialogue to resolve the crisis, Archbishop Nkea, who participated at the Conference, told participants at the meeting that was chaired by Prime Minister, Chief Dr. Joseph Dion Ngute, that separatist fighters “believe the government is not truly committed to solving this problem”.

“Some feel that while many declarations are made on radio, television, and in newspapers, little is actually implemented,” the Archbishop had said.

While admitting that significant progress has been recorded in several of these commitments, the Bamenda Archbishop, one of the religious leaders appointed as member of the committee to follow up the implantation of the dialogue resolutions, urged the government to recognise the need to engage directly with core separatists.

“The boys [separatist fighters] feel you are merely talking among yourselves or to your friends,” the Archbishop warned.

He said the Church can only facilitate such a dialogue, but can’t make any pledges on behalf of the state.

“We can only go out with camwood, wash and rub their feet, pray with them, and urge them to stop killing their own,” Nkea said.

He further revealed that both separatist fighters and the leadership they have met believe that some members of the government want the crisis to continue and are actively obstructing genuine dialogue. This perception, he warned, fuels distrust and complicates efforts towards a peaceful resolution.

The Archbishop noted that some of the fighters have indicated a willingness to attend follow-up committee meetings, suggesting this demonstrates “a willingness, albeit cautious, from some actors to engage in the dialogue process”.

Nkea condemned the continued use of force as a way of resolving the conflict.

“All wars, including the First and Second World Wars, ended at the negotiating table. The separatists are ready for meaningful dialogue, and we, as religious leaders, can facilitate it,” he stated.

It would appear the Bishops suspect the Yaounde regime is unlikely to heed their divine advice for inclusive dialogue. That should explain why at their episcopal conference in Yaounde last week, the Bishops invited “all the Christian faithful to persevere in prayer so that the October presidential election and the regional elections take place in peace and are a powerful and graceful time for our country".

But just prayers without faith and action might not guarantee peace. This is why The Guardian Post joins the Bishops to appeal to President Paul Biya, who is their communicant, to heed the voices of divinity for the sake of peace in our country, before, during and after the elections.