2025 presidentials: Archbishops Kleda, Nkea urge citizens to take their responsibility.

His Grace Kleda and Archbishop Nkea

The Archbishops of the Catholic Archdioceses of Bamenda in the North West Region and Douala in the Littoral Region, His Grace Andrew Nkea and His Grace Samuel Kleda, have called on citizens to take their responsibility as the country holds presidential election this year.



The servants of God made the declaration on the sidelines of the opening of the 48th annual gathering of Catholic bishops in Cameroon underway in Buea. 

The conference was officially opened Tuesday in the presence of the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai, alongside other dignitaries. Discussions will end on Saturday, January 11.

 

Kleda insists on free, fair presidentials

Archbishop Kelda told reporters that he desires a presidential election free of fraud and other malpractices. 

“We are at the beginning of a year where elections will be organised. We want that the elections should unfold in a peaceful environment and everything must be put in place for an election without fraud and free for all involved,” he said. 

The Douala Archbishop said as a Cameroonian and priest, the daily challenges faced by citizens concerns him. He insisted that the church works with and for the society.

“…as a priest, all the challenges that face Cameroonians concern me and I have chosen to work for peace because, the church is the society and for the society and thus has to do its job,” Kleda noted. 

He argued that: “When there is a problem, we as a church have to denounce it and work to find solutions to problems facing our society because we work with and for the society”.

He said votes in the presidential election this year must reflect the desire of Cameroonians.

“Cameroonians should know that the upcoming elections concern each one of them. Everyone must vote those they want for their individual good and that of the country,” Kleda stated.

 

Nkea denounces hypocrisy, finger-pointing 

On his part, Archbishop Nkea, who is also President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, NECC, called on Cameroonians to join hands in building the country. 

He regretted that: “There is too much hypocrisy and finger-pointing in Cameroon,” but insisted that “every Cameroonian should take his/her responsibility because we all have the destiny of this country in our hands and must play our individual parts to build our country”.

Despite the challenges facing Cameroonians, he encouraged all to remain hopeful for better days ahead. 

The Bamenda Archbishop said: “When human beings loss hope, there is nothing again because when there is life, there is hope and therefore, 2025 is a year of hope and we believe that our hope will not fail us. We hope for a better future, country and more uprightness in the things we do”.

Addressing stakeholders during the official opening ceremony, the Bishop of Buea, Michael Bibi, insisted on the need for sustained collaboration between the church and the government to ensure peace in the country.

 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3332 of Wednesday January 08, 2025

 

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