A closed-door meeting between members of the Catholic Bishops’ Standing Committee and the Secretary General at the Presidency in Etoudi has stirred controversy within the Catholic Church and beyond. Reverend Father Joseph Awoh has publicly voiced deep concerns over the purpose, timing, and political implications of the gathering, which comes just months before Cameroon’s crucial elections.
The meeting follows similar convocations of traditional rulers from the West Region, Fons from the Northwest, and prominent Muslim leaders. In each case, high-profile absences have raised eyebrows and fueled speculation about the government’s motives.
“Are these meetings about peace or political allegiance?”
In a widely shared statement, Fr. Awoh questioned whether such gatherings are truly about fostering peace, or if they are intended to secure loyalty from key opinion leaders.
“I had hoped our bishops would not go. Not out of defiance, but out of discernment… At this moment in our nation’s history, these meetings raise unsettling questions. Are they meant to signal allegiance or acquiescence to a regime that has governed for 43 years? Is there an expectation that these leaders can sway their communities to vote a certain way?”
Fr. Awoh’s remarks strike a chord with many Cameroonians who see the Church as one of the last moral voices capable of challenging entrenched power. His unease is amplified by the absence of outspoken prelates like the Archbishop of Douala, the Bishop of Bafoussam, and the Bishop of Yagoua—figures known for their public criticism of government failings.
The “peace” narrative under scrutiny
According to the bishops who attended, the official message from the presidency was a call to “pray and work for peace before, during, and after the elections.” But for Fr. Awoh, the emphasis on peace raises more questions than it answers.
“Why this emphasis on peace? Is violence expected? If so, why? And beyond prayer, how are the bishops expected to ensure peace? What tools do they have to prevent unrest?”
The priest wonders if similar appeals were made to traditional rulers and Imams, or if the government is selectively framing its dialogue with each group to achieve a political outcome.
A prophetic voice at risk?
The Episcopal Conference of Cameroon has in the past issued sharp critiques of the government’s handling of political and social crises, giving hope to Catholics that the Church was reclaiming its prophetic and independent role.
However, the image of bishops walking into the palace at Etoudi has left some feeling that the institution may be softening its stance at a politically sensitive moment.
“I’ve been deeply moved by the courage of individual bishops who have stood as true shepherds… But that hope faltered when I saw the video of the bishops’ Standing Committee walking into the palace at Etoudi,” Fr. Awoh said.
A broader political pattern
Political analysts note that the series of meetings with religious and traditional leaders fits into a broader strategy often seen ahead of elections in Cameroon: consolidating influential figures to control the political temperature and, some allege, to shape voter behaviour.
While the Presidency frames these consultations as steps toward national unity, critics argue they may be attempts to neutralise dissent in key communities.
As Cameroonians brace for another electoral cycle under a president who has ruled for over four decades, the Church’s role—and its perceived independence—will remain under intense scrutiny.
For now, Fr. Awoh’s words echo a wider unease:
“I’m wrestling with these questions. Is there more we haven’t been told? Does the government truly believe these leaders hold enough moral authority to guide ‘their people’ toward a prescribed path?”
The silence from both the Presidency and the Episcopal Conference on the deeper content of the meeting leaves those questions hanging—just as political tensions in the country continue to rise.
