Yaounde, Cameroon. Pope Leo urged Cameroon’s government to root out corruption and resist “the whims of the rich and powerful” in a speech delivered in the presence of President Paul Biya. He also called for an end to Cameroon’s simmering Anglophone conflict, which has killed thousands.
Direct appeal to Cameroon’s leadership
Leo spoke shortly after arriving in Cameroon from Algeria during a 10-day tour of four African countries. Addressing Biya, Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and other leaders, the first U.S. pope said it was time to “examine our conscience and take a bold leap forward.”
“In order for peace and justice to prevail, the chains of corruption – which disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility – must be broken,” Leo said, adding that “hearts must be set free from an idolatrous thirst for profit.”
Biya listened to the speech without visible reaction. His government denies accusations of corruption and human rights abuses and says the stability he brings allows Cameroon to avoid the kind of conflict seen elsewhere in the region, including in war-hit Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic.
Papal profile and criticism from Trump
Leo, who will mark one year as pope in May, kept a relatively low profile for his first 10 months but in recent weeks has become outspoken on a range of issues, notably the Iran war.
The pope has been criticised by U.S. President Donald Trump for a second time during the African tour. Trump reiterated his comments in a social media post on Tuesday, despite what the report described as a widespread backlash from U.S. Christians across the political spectrum.
Leo told Reuters on Monday he would keep criticising the war regardless of Trump’s comments. Speaking on his flight to Cameroon, Leo did not speak about Trump directly, urging respect for all the peoples of the world and saying his tour has shown the importance of pursuing dialogue between different communities.
What do you think Cameroon’s leaders should prioritise to address corruption and the Anglophone conflict?