Anglophone Crisis: “…an army take-over could be a lesser of two evils” – Christian Cardinal Wiyghan Tumi

Emeritus Archbishop of the metropolitan diocese of Douala is bordered over the continuous killing and inhuman actions taking place in the anglophone regions of Cameroon since 2016.

At 90 years, Christian Cardinal Tumi does not think much about himself but the younger generation and those to come.

In his book titled “My night in Captivity”, Christian Cardinal Wiyghan Tumi holds strongly that a ceasefire well respected by military men and separatists in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon will be a good beginning for the process of lasting peace.

“If the army were to go back to the barracks and the Amba boys refuse to surrender their arms? The more I think about it, the more am convinced that if the army were to withdraw to the barracks and the amba boys, the army which is known for imposing order and discipline, should come out of the barracks and take over power in the country for a short period of time. After imposing order and discipline, it should then organize elections, return power to the civilians and withdraw to their barracks, where they rightfully belong ” Cardinal Tumi stated.

On page 66 of the book, Cardinal Tumi states unequivocally that “… I have personally never been in favor of military rule anywhere. However, where human lives and property are being wasted as is the case in our country, an army takeover could be the lesser of the two evils. This conflict is dragging on for too long and causing untold damage in human lives and property “.

Cardinal Tumi’s declaration considering a military take-over in Cameroon as a lesser evil comes after he was kidnapped and detained by boys fighting for the restoration of Ambazonia statehood in Baba village in the North West region of Cameroon.

It remains unclear if the military in Cameroon is considering such actions to save the country from the carnage that is going on at the moment.



Mbatho Ntan.