Cameroon – Anglophone Crisis: Arsonists Torch Presbyterian Church Mbufung In Bali

Par Atia T. AZOHNWI | Cameroon-Info.Net
BUEA - 20-Feb-2020 - 00h59   4331                      
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Charred remains of PC Mbufung in Bali Screenshot from amateur video
Rt. Rev. Fonki Samuel Forba, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, has announced the burning to ashes of a PCC house of worship at Mbufung in Bali.

In a statement, Wednesday, February 19, 2020, condemning “the killing of children, women and entire household in Ngarbuh”, Rt. Rev. Fonki who doubles as President of the Council of Protestant Churches in Cameroon, CEPCA, denounced “the ungodly act of burning a PCC house of worship at Mbufung – Bali.”

An amateur video that has since gone viral suggests that PC Mbufung got burnt on Monday, February 17, 2020. In the video, a certain Ba Fonyassi, Parish Chairman and Ni Babila Moses Sama, Congregational Chairman are seen weeping at the scene of the incident.

Although the PCC Moderator failed to state the authors of the arson, Cameroon-Info.Net understands that Cameroon’s Defense and Security Forces have been battling Non-State Armed Groups who seek to make of the country’s North West and South West Regions an independent country called Ambazonia

The Moderator posits that recent events have shown clearly that military might or violence cannot bring an end to the ongoing socio-political crisis in the English-speaking regions.

Hear the PCC Moderator and CEPCA President: “We out rightly condemn the killing of children, women and entire household in Ngarbuh – Ntumbaw. We equally denounce the ungodly act of burning a PCC house of worship at Mbufung – Bali.  

“Once more, it has proven to us that military might or violence is not the solution to this problem. An insincere route to peace, half measures, lack of good will, a general insensitivity to the pain of God’s people, the hate speech and violence perpetrated by armed separatists, an extremely poor governance and selfish politics continues to fuel this crisis.

“Can we not implement in full all the proposals of the Grand National Dialogue? In this circumstance, the role of external Mediators just like before has become urgent and expedient. We have failed as a people to protect God’s children. Surely God is vexed and we must repent as a nation.”

In a pastoral message dated Tuesday, January 21, 2020, the chief shepherd of the PCC cried out: “Stop this violence! Stop killing God’s children! Stop destroying the earth!”

Touched by the soaring violence in recent days, +Fonki said the government of the Republic of Cameroon must now show mastery of the situation on the ground and increased determination to implement the resolution of the Grand National Dialogue in a way that will precipitate cessation of violence, a sense of justice and a peaceful atmosphere.

His words: “For a couple of weeks now, we have had reports and graphic images of barbaric and inhuman acts such as gunshots, killing, colossal and collateral destruction of property through the burning of houses in some localities and villages in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon viz: Babubock and Eyandong in Kupe-Muanenguba; Ku-Bome in Mbengwi; Mbiame in Bui; Mbenjom in Awing; Guzang in Batibo; Bali-Kumbat in Ngoketunjia; Buabua and Kimbirivers in Bum. Fingers are pointing at the military, armed fighters and herdsmen particularly in the Bum area for these acts of brutality and dehumanization.

“Last Sunday in Sang in Bali-Nyongha, an ordained Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC) in pastoral attire was arrested in the church compound after worship service. This Pastor was brutalized, incarcerated, later released and hospitalized. These acts of barbarity and inhumanity violate the sacredness of human life and are sacrilegious to the worship of God.

“Furthermore, these inhuman actions contradict and relatively lay waste the resolutions and the spirit of goodwill underneath the Grand National Dialogue. As a church of God, and in keeping with our prophetic voice; we strongly condemn the perpetrators of these acts of violence on God’s people and fellow compatriots of the North West and South West regions. These acts of violence do no good to the fragile efforts on the ground to return people and activities to normalcy. It is now clear that the rationale of conducting elections on February 9, 2020 in the North West and South West regions may not be logical under such circumstances as it does not permit full participation of the population.

“The government of the Republic of Cameroon must now show mastery of the situation on the ground and increased determination to implement the resolution of the Grand National Dialogue in a way that will precipitate cessation of violence, a sense of justice and a peaceful atmosphere. We once more re-echo the fact that violence or military might is not the way out of this crisis.

“In the same token, through this opportunity, we express the tears and the pains of the local population as they suffer daily molestation, kidnapping and extortion in the hands of armed groups. Enough is enough, stop this violence, stop killing God’s children and stop destroying the earth, it does not advance any good and does not legitimate any course neither does it progress human civilization. For God’s sake can we unite and genuinely seek a lasting solution to this crisis and give God’s children, justice and peace a chance and spare us the continuous flow of blood?

“The peace of God which passes all human understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come upon you and remain with you always.” Amen.

Auteur:
Atia T. AZOHNWI
 @T_B_D
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