Churches pray against Boko Haram insurgencies

Bishop Samuel Kleda, Archbishop of Douala and president of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon revealed on Saturday that a day has been set aside as a day to pray for peace in Cameroon. "We want to entrust Cameroon, as well as all other neighbouring countries at war to the Lord. The insecurity currently prevailing at the borders of Cameroon and particularly those of Nigeria leaves a certain fear in people. In such situations, it is better relying on the hands of the Almighty", He said.

The North of Cameroon, frontier with Nigeria, now lives in fear of attacks and abductions from Boko Haram radical Islamist movement. This is characterised not only by the abduction of foreigners, Chinese workers, but also priests, religious men and Westerners. On the other hand, their demand for ransom has proliferated, allowing the sect to be easily financed.

As a matter of fact, in recent weeks, several young Cameroonians have been kidnapped in their villages, without knowing precisely the motivations of their captors.

According to the interpretation made by Cameroonian public radio reporters in the far North, these various kidnappings operated by Boko Haram aim to destroy the collaboration that currently exists between the authorized military and the people of the far North. A region that the Islamists planted their camps before Cameroon authorities did after the president, declared war on them May 17, at a Summit held in Paris on security in Nigeria'.

At the moment, it is almost 100 days, since 276 schoolgirls were abducted in the town of Chibok, in Nigeria, of which 219 are still missing. Finally, the recent influx, into Cameroon, of tens of thousands of refugees from Central Africa Republic and Northern Nigeria is a major concern in the country.

Therefore, in this context of insecurity and tension, while the Nigerian Army has requested a loan of one billion dollars "in order to buy new weapons and equipment to battle Boko Haram', the Catholic Church in Cameroon has dedicated today to praying for peace.