By Usman Yahaya Ismail
Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Cameroon as part of his multi-country visit to Africa, carrying a message of peace and dialogue amid ongoing tensions in parts of the country.
The visit, which began in the capital Yaoundé, is expected to focus on governance, anti-corruption efforts, and the responsible use of political power in the resource-rich Central African nation, according to the Vatican.
During his stay, the Pope is scheduled to meet with President Paul Biya, the 93-year-old leader who has been in power since 1982 and was recently re-elected for an eighth term in a vote widely disputed by opposition groups.
The trip to Cameroon follows an earlier stop in Algeria and forms part of a broader four-nation African tour.
As part of his itinerary, Pope Leo will address government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and civil servants, before visiting an orphanage run by Catholic nuns.
A key highlight of the visit will be a peace meeting in Bamenda, a city in Cameroon’s northwest region that has been heavily affected by conflict between separatist groups and government forces.
The unrest, which began in 2017, stems from grievances among English-speaking communities seeking independence from the predominantly French-speaking country.
The conflict has reportedly claimed over 6,000 lives and displaced more than 600,000 people, according to the International Crisis Group.
Ahead of the Pope’s arrival, separatist groups announced a temporary three-day ceasefire to allow for a peaceful visit. A coalition known as the Unity Alliance said the gesture reflects the religious significance of the visit and aims to ensure safe movement for civilians, pilgrims, and dignitaries.
Another major event during the visit will be a large open-air Mass in Douala, expected to attract up to 600,000 worshippers in a country where Catholics make up a significant portion of the population.
Pope Leo is expected to continue his African tour with a visit to Angola before concluding the trip in Equatorial Guinea next week.