Anglophone separatists in Cameroon have announced a period of 'safe travel passage' and halted fighting ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to the conflict-hit region this week. Leaders of several armed and secessionist groups said the three-day measure was in recognition of the 'profound spiritual importance' of the papal visit, which starts on Wednesday, and the need to safeguard civilian life. In a statement from Unity Alliance - which brings the groups together - they said they would facilitate the movement of those celebrating the visit. The government is yet to comment.
A near-decade of violence in the English-speaking regions has left at least 6,000 dead and many more forced from their homes. Pope Leo is currently in Algeria for a second day as part of his 11-day tour of the continent, which includes stops in Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Peace is one of the major themes of his visit. The pontiff arrived in Algeria on Monday, marking the first visit by any pope to the predominantly Sunni Muslim country, which is also the birthplace of St Augustine.
He is now in Annaba, where he is expected to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Augustine. The Pope's second country stop is Cameroon, where he will visit Bamenda, the center of the conflict between Anglophone separatists and state forces. A national dialogue organized by the government in 2019 failed to end the violence in the country's two English-speaking regions.
Unity Alliance stated that the decision to pause fighting 'reflects a deliberate commitment to responsibility, restraint, and respect for human dignity, even in the context of ongoing conflict.' While the local government has made efforts to ensure safety during the Pope's visit, they have not yet reacted to the separatists' announcement. The pontiff's visit to Bamenda is viewed as a symbolic effort by the Catholic Church to foster peace and reconciliation.
All sites attended by the Pope will be free of charge for visitors, as his tour will include stops in 11 cities across four countries, reflecting the importance of Catholicism in Africa, where over a fifth of the world's Catholics reside.
A near-decade of violence in the English-speaking regions has left at least 6,000 dead and many more forced from their homes. Pope Leo is currently in Algeria for a second day as part of his 11-day tour of the continent, which includes stops in Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Peace is one of the major themes of his visit. The pontiff arrived in Algeria on Monday, marking the first visit by any pope to the predominantly Sunni Muslim country, which is also the birthplace of St Augustine.
He is now in Annaba, where he is expected to celebrate Mass at the Basilica of Saint Augustine. The Pope's second country stop is Cameroon, where he will visit Bamenda, the center of the conflict between Anglophone separatists and state forces. A national dialogue organized by the government in 2019 failed to end the violence in the country's two English-speaking regions.
Unity Alliance stated that the decision to pause fighting 'reflects a deliberate commitment to responsibility, restraint, and respect for human dignity, even in the context of ongoing conflict.' While the local government has made efforts to ensure safety during the Pope's visit, they have not yet reacted to the separatists' announcement. The pontiff's visit to Bamenda is viewed as a symbolic effort by the Catholic Church to foster peace and reconciliation.
All sites attended by the Pope will be free of charge for visitors, as his tour will include stops in 11 cities across four countries, reflecting the importance of Catholicism in Africa, where over a fifth of the world's Catholics reside.
