Bishop Nfon says faith continues to grow in Cameroon amid a separatist crisis

The Catholic bishop of the Kumba Diocese, a region in northwestern Cameroon deeply affected by separatist violence, has reaffirmed that faith continues to thrive despite the ongoing crisis.

Bishop Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon made these remarks on May 1 during an interview with Catholic World Report (CWR), speaking on the sidelines of the 50th Ordinary Plenary of the Cameroon Bishops’ Conference.

The Diocese of Kumba was established in 2016, coinciding with the outbreak of unrest in Cameroon’s English-speaking Northwest and Southwest regions.

Conflict and crisis

The conflict is rooted in the country’s colonial history. Formerly a German colony, Cameroon was divided between Britain and France following Germany’s defeat in World War I. The two territories were subsequently administered separately until independence in the early 1960s, when they agreed to reunite as a federation of two states.

However, the federation lasted only a decade, with a now-contested referendum leading to the creation of a unitary system—an arrangement Anglophone Cameroonians, who make up 20% of the population, increasingly view as an attempt to assimilate them

Decades of perceived marginalization and suppressed feelings of assimilation burst into the open in 2016 when teachers and lawyers in the two English-speaking regions took to the streets to protest the imposition of French in Anglo-Saxon schools and courts.

The government responded with lethal force, triggering a separatist uprising that called for the Anglophone regions to secede and establish an independent nation named Ambazonia. The conflict has since resulted in the deaths of at least 6500 people, according to the International Crisis Group. It has also resulted in the displacement of over a million people.

Bishop Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon says he saw the crisis unfold from the very start.

“I was installed [Bishop of Kumba] in May 2016, and then about three or four months after, this socio-political crisis started,” he told CWR. He said 28 villages were burned down in his diocese, and he had to close down 13 parishes because of insecurity. “In those early days, operating under such conditions was extremely difficult. Even for me, traveling was unsafe.”

He noted that in the months leading up to the crisis, he had visited the entire diocese, “which gave me valuable insight into the region.”

In visits to several parts of the diocese, the cleric became all too aware that the Church was the only source of hope for the people in challenging times. “When I go for a pastoral visit, it’s not a matter of Catholics only; all the people come. And they tell me, you are the one who gives us hope. Without a Catholic Church, we have no hope,” he told CWR.

“They said women are dying at childbirth, and children are dying, because there is no medical care.”

Improvements amid isolation

In Diongo, a small community located towards the creeks of Ndian area (around the Bakassi Peninsula), there wasn’t as much as a nurse.

“I went there for a pastoral visit, and I felt so bad,” the bishop said. He said the people expressed the need for healthcare support, saying that if workers weren’t sent to assist them, they would be in “serious trouble.”

“Upon hearing their concerns, I recognized the gravity of the situation. I met with the health coordinator of the Diocese of Kumba, and together, we arranged for both a nurse and a midwife to be deployed. The community was extremely grateful for the support, and the workers themselves felt fulfilled in their roles, happy to serve the people.”

He said if resources were available, the Church would establish a proper health center in the area. The Church had to put up a beautiful primary school to replace what he termed “the terrible structure” initially there.

“It is the best primary school now in that area and I just pray that the children will use it to the optimum.”

He said significant improvements have been made in many primary schools in Kumba, particularly in terms of infrastructure, insisting that the ultimate goal is to foster the integral development of the children.

“I want children to grow up with good manners and a strong foundation. That’s why I have provided essential facilities to schools in town and to some major schools outside Kumba, including proper water systems and toilets,” he explains. “My goal has been to create a healthy learning environment, ensuring that children are accustomed to using these facilities so that they can integrate and compete with other students instead of feeling left behind.”

The cleric, however, complained that the area is very isolated, and a significant part of the diocese has been overlooked in terms of development and infrastructure.

“I travel mostly by motorbike. Sometimes, I travel on foot, and there have been moments when I’ve even fallen off the bike into mud or sand,” he told CWR..

“Despite these challenges, the true joy comes from serving the people.”

A growing Church, despite the challenges

Bishop Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon acknowledged the challenges facing the Diocese but affirmed that the Church continues to grow. When the Diocese was established in 2016, it had 20 parishes. Since then, Nfon has created one additional parish and six pastoral zones, which may eventually be upgraded to full parishes.

He noted that while many wealthy and influential individuals fled the violence, the poor have remained steadfast in their commitment to sustaining the Church.

“I truly appreciate the dedication of the poor in this diocese,” he said. “God has been good to us—He has protected us. The people here are wonderful, and I must say, I am happy to be the Bishop of Kumba.”

He described the community’s strong sense of unity, saying, “The people have a spirit of family and love. That’s why I call them the family of love. We feel truly blessed in this diocese.”

While vocations have posed a challenge, he noted an encouraging increase in interest. Last year, he ordained six priests, and this year, five more. “Hopefully, I will ordain four next year. There is a steady stream of vocations—every year, I have priests to ordain, and I am grateful to God for that.”

Nfon expressed hope that more religious women would come to Kumba to help address the understaffed health sector.

“I need them urgently in the areas of health and education,” he emphasized.

Though the region still faces occasional unrest, the security situation has improved considerably. “It’s not ideal, but it is much better,” he remarked, adding that movement has become more manageable.

A reason for an uprising

Bishop Agapitus Enuyehnyoh Nfon believes that, given the hardships endured by Anglophone Cameroonians, their decision to rise up against injustice was justified.

“The people had the right to protest, though I do not support the use of arms,” he stated. He pointed to the longstanding neglect of road infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other essential services as factors that inevitably drive people to revolt.

He highlighted the severe challenges faced by farmers in Kupe-Muanenguba. “If you travel there, you’ll see thriving crops like plantains and other produce. However, the absence of farm-to-market roads makes transportation extremely difficult. Farmers struggle to bring their harvest to market, and you’ll often find piles of plantains left behind—some ripening beyond use and eventually rotting due to lack of buyers.”

With poor road conditions limiting access, the few buyers who do come take advantage of the situation, purchasing a bunch of plantains that would typically cost 5,000 francs ($8.90) for just 500 francs ($0.87). “Farmers have little choice—either accept the unfair price or watch their produce go to waste,” Nfon lamented.

The cleric believes the festering crisis stems from the government’s reliance on force rather than meaningful engagement. He emphasized the urgent need for sincere dialogue to resolve the conflict.

The Church as the harbinger of hope

As the crisis continues, the Catholic Church has emerged as a beacon of hope for the people. Nfon emphasized the significance of the creation of the diocese, noting that its timing was crucial.

“I am grateful to have been present alongside dedicated priests. From the outset, I made it clear that we would not engage in politics. Our mission was to inspire people to work for peace, pursue justice, and show respect to all.”

He highlighted the Church’s role in establishing safe places where young people could learn trades and unite for meaningful causes such as justice, peace, and charity.

By keeping young people engaged in productive activities, the Church could help steer them away from the temptation of armed conflict, the cleric explained.

“I believe the Church played a vital role in easing tensions, giving people hope for a better tomorrow. Without the Church in Kumba Diocese, I truly believe the situation could have been far worse,” he stated..