Kościół wobec tzw. kryzysu anglofońskiego w Kamerunie

Abstract

After the unification of Anglophone and Francophone regions of Cameroon in 1961, English-speaking Cameroonians have accused the central authorities in Yaoundé of marginalizing this part of the country. In 2016, expressions of discontent in this part of Cameroon gained momentum, and on October 1, 2017, the most extreme factions declared the independence of Cameroon’s two Anglophone regions and the birth of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia. This contributed to escalating tensions in the two English-speaking regions and led to strikes and bloody fighting. The central government and the separatists have taken irreconcilable positions. According to estimates, at least 4,000 people have died in the conflict and more than one million have been internally displaced. Most of the internally displaced are women and children. The Catholic Church has taken on the difficult task of finding ways of reconciling the hostile sides. The Church’s action is significant. The Church is one of the most influential non-governmental institutions throughout the country, including in English-speaking regions.