Pope Leo XIV has told Cameroon’s government to root out corruption during a forthright address on the second leg of his African tour.
“In order for peace and justice to prevail, the chains of corruption – which disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility – must be broken,” he told those gathered at the presidential palace in the capital, Yaoundé, including President Paul Biya.
The 93-year-old president won an eighth term last year in a disputed poll and his administration faces criticism over allegations of corruption, bad governance and a failure to tackle security.
The Pope is now in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions, where a separatist insurgency has raged for nearly a decade.
He is expected to pray for peace at a Mass in the city of Bamenda, the centre of the violence which has left at least 6,000 people dead and many more forced from their homes.
Excited crowds lined the streets to welcome Pope Leo. Earlier Anglophone separatists had announced a period of “safe travel passage” to accommodate his visit.
“Security is a priority, but it must always be exercised with respect for human rights,” the 70-year-old pontiff said on Wednesday, alluding to the brutal conflict.
Since 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state in Cameroon’s two Anglophone regions have been fighting government forces.
They are angered by what they see as the marginalisation of Cameroon’s minority English-speaking community by the Francophone-dominated government.
Commentators say Pope Leo was unusually blunt in his speech, which Biya – the world’s oldest head of state – sat through without reaction.
“Hearts must be set free from an idolatrous thirst for profit,” the Pope said.
According to the Associated Press news agency, state television halted its live feed for parts of the pontiff’s address – adding that it was not clear if technical issues were to blame.
Pope Leo also described young people as the hope of Cameroon and the Church.
“Their energy and creativity are invaluable. Investing in their education, training, and entrepreneurship is essential for peace and for preventing the loss of talent and the spread of social ills,” he said.
“I wish to highlight especially the role of women, who, though often victims of injustice, are tireless builders of peace. Their voice must be fully recognised in decision-making processes.”
President Biya had promised to prioritise women and young people after winning re-election in October. Expectations remain high amid a looming cabinet reshuffle.
The Archbishop of Bamenda, Andrew Nkea, has said the pontiff’s visit will bring hope to the people whose lives have been disrupted by the conflict in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions.
“I can confidently say now is the time for peace,” said Nkea in an address to the Pope at the cathedral in Bamenda ahead of the Mass which will be held at the city’s airport.
Peace is the main theme of the Pope’s 11-day tour of the continent, with Angola and Equatorial Guinea next on his agenda.
He started his trip in Algeria on Monday, marking the first visit by any pope to the predominantly Muslim country.
It is also the birthplace of St Augustine, and Leo XIV is the first pontiff from the order to follow his teachings.
During his two days in Algeria he went to the Great Mosque in Algiers.
“I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace,” he said afterwards.
