When the crisis in Anglophone Cameroon began in the later part of 2016 the populace thought it was going to be short-lived. But we were wrong. As it stands now, from a personal point of view, a better part of the population has become disenchanted because of untold and startling upshots. Struggles and sufferings, chaos and cruelty and lots of icky stuff now reigns. The CHURCH (Clergy, Religious congregations, schools and the lay faithful) is not finding it easy.
Recently, I listened to an interview on the BBC with one of the Bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Bamenda. He decried the untold misery the Christians of his diocese are going through. Bushes seem to have become safer than their homes. He has closed down fifteen parishes due to insecurity and the absence of Christians. In the recent past, Clerics, religious men and women, schools have not been spared from this crisis. They have suffered abductions, kidnapping and some murdered in cold blood.
The Marist Brothers in the republic Cameroon, significantly represented in the Anglophone region of the North West, are going through hard times. A young and energetic population of Brothers, full of vitality, have nowhere to carry out their mission in country.
In Bui Division where there is a Marist Community, access to main markets has been rendered difficult. All roads have been blocked. Students have all been sent home to their families due to insecurity caused by the crisis. For many months now, all members of the community have been indoors. All businesses shut down and major shops in this locality brought to ruins. We trek long distances to get food items. Sky rocketing prices for basic needs is the order of the day. There have been routine black outs for weeks and no network coverage.
The community has since served as a place of refuge to those displaced from their homes due to the recent raid of the village. We are accommodating over sixty internally displaced persons who have escaped from their homes because of the recent raids. Apart from this number, we also received those who come for short stay. Hence, the Marist presence, in this area, is a sign of hope for these internally displaced people.
As the dangers of the conflict surmounts, a stray bullet can easily catch anyone at any point in time. In this neighborhood, I recall when the crisis escalated, right within the compound; we heard gunshots directly from the community fence wall and bullets passing swiftly over our heads with a whistling sound.
More often than not, we are faced with harassment from armed men where one is thoroughly searched. Recently, while at the entrance into the community, a Brother and I were apprehended and interrogated even to a fault. Good enough we were not their target for that day.
Cameroon, our beloved country, is turning into a state of anarchy. For how long shall we hope for your faithfulness, LORD? Like the psalmist we can confidently say, “In his days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails” (Ps 72).
Meyanui Valentine, fms