Conflict in NW, SW: After the Pope, here comes another global spiritual leader.

The Most Rev Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion in 165 countries, unlike in Ghana, where she began her 10-day African tour, having audience with President John Dramani Mahama, she is, however, not scheduled to meet with the Unity Palace occupant.

Yaounde started preparing for her august reception since July 20, 2026, when the Minister of External Relations, Mbella Mbella, chaired a meeting “with a view to briefing the British delegation, led by the Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, on the modalities related to the stay of the Head of State's Very Esteemed Guest”, to quote a statement from MINREX.

The briefing was attended  by the High Commissioner of Cameroon in Great Britain, senior officials of the Ministry of External Relations, and Representatives of members of government and other concerned national services.

After the meeting, the Minister of External Relations, Mbella Mbella, announced government’s readiness for the Cameroon lap of Archbishop Sarah’s 10-day West African tour in Cameroon, from July 31 to August 4, 2026.

She is expected to meet the Bishop of Cameroon, Rt Rev Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango, as well as clergy and congregations across the Diocese in Yaounde, Douala, Buea and Limbe, according to her office press release.

On Sunday, August 2, the Archbishop will preach during a service at Bishopscourt, the headquarters of her Diocese of Cameroon in Douala. She will later visit St. Michael and All Angels’ Cathedral and Emmanuel Parish.

The Anglican leader is also scheduled to hold a courtesy audience with the government of Cameroon in Yaounde, before concluding her West African tour on Tuesday, August 4, with a farewell service at St. John’s Anglican Church.

Speaking ahead of the visit, Archbishop Sarah said she was eager to meet Anglican communities in both countries.

“I am looking forward with joy to spending time with our Anglican brothers and sisters in Ghana and Cameroon, and I am grateful to Archbishop Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith and Bishop Dibo for their generosity and hospitality”. 

“Across 19 Dioceses and eight countries, the Church of the Province of West Africa is a beacon of faithful service, boldly living out the good news of Jesus Christ. From parish churches and healthcare projects to the Anglican Young People Association and branches of the Mothers’ Union, it will be a privilege to witness all God is doing there, with people of all ages and from all backgrounds, and to worship and pray with those across the region,” she added.

The 10-day visit is being undertaken at the invitation of the Primate of the Church of the Province of West Africa and Bishop of Asante-Mampong, the Most Rev Dr Cyril Kobina Ben-Smith.

Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally will not hold a meeting with President Paul Biya during her July 31 to August 4, 2026, pastoral visit to Cameroon.

Instead, her local itinerary will focus on pastoral, academic, and humanitarian engagements across the Centre, Littoral, and South West Regions. She will also meet with local church leadership, including Bishop Dibo Thomas-Babyngton Elango of the Diocese of Cameroon.

In the South West Region, her visits will feature trips to Biaka University and the Doctor Biaka Memorial Foundation supporting healthcare and nursing education, followed by Regional clergy meetings in Limbe.

The Douala lap on August 2–4, will involve preaching a service at Bishopscourt, visiting St. Michael and All Angels Cathedral, and meeting IDPs of the Anglophone crisis.

Her key message will be anchored on pastoral and peace-building diplomatic engagements in conflict-affected Regions to leverage the moral authority of her office to encourage local dialogue.

Being the first woman to lead the Church of England in 1,400 years, her diplomatic significance as the Archbishop of Canterbury is centred on gender barrier-breaking, soft-power global diplomacy, and bridging geopolitical divides across the world.

For that she, like the Pope, relies on prayers, hope and moral force to convince those who govern to seek peace, rather than confrontation and dialogue rather than the bullet.

Unlike in Ghana, she will not have audience with President Biya, but with his top aides who should be duty bound to convince him when he returns to bring peace in the North West and South West Regions, through dialogue, as prayers have failed to do so. 

The Guardian Post wishes her success in her divine mission to Cameroon.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3864 of Friday July 31, 2026