Archbishop Nkea Renews Calls for Dialogue after Nkwen market blast
The Archbishop Bishop of the Bamenda Ecclesiastical Province, Mgr Andrew Nkea, has called for peace, dialogue and reconciliation to end the ongoing violence in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.
The Catholic prelate made the renewed call following a bomb blast at the Nkwen market in Bamenda on Thursday, September 19.
The blast killed one woman and injured six, including an 11-year-old.
In a message of consolidation to affected families, he assured of “my closeness and that of the entire people of God in the Archdiocese of Bamenda to them”.
He added: “We extend our deepest condolences to the family of Chung Juliette who lost her life in this calculate barbaric incident. May she rest in perfect peace. We continue to pray for comfort, strength, and healing for those injured.”
Rights groups have reported that civilians have frequently been targeted by both separatists and security forces during the armed conflict. Separatists have particularly been accused of using improvised explosives against civilians who violate their orders. The blast in Nkwen occurred amidst a separatist-imposed lockdown in the English-speaking regions.
Condemning the targeting of civilians, Mgr Andrew Nkea described the incident as another devastating episode in the protracted armed conflict.
“The senseless violence and loss of life caused by the ongoing Anglophone Crisis is devastating and painful,” he said.
“We stand in solidarity with the innocent civilians, I have often said that the repeated attacks on innocent civilians will not solve the problem.”
Archbishop Nkea insisted on a peaceful solution to the conflict. “We therefore condemn all acts of violence and advocate for peace, dialogue and reconciliation.”
He assured the population of Bamenda that they have not been abandoned.
He also called on the perpetrators of such and similar acts to deter from them and seek other peaceful ways to solve the crisis.
Stating that a peaceful solution is the only way out he added, ” blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God”.
He appealed to all to have respect for the sacredness and dignity of the human person.
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