Open letter to Pope Leo XIV.

In yesterday’s edition, The Guardian Post, acting in lieu of Cameroon’s most authoritative newspaper, and voice of the voiceless, highlighted some of the expectations from the people of the North West and South West Regions of the country.

Today, we draw your anointed attention, for the purpose of emphasis, to a memorandum that was addressed to you, on April 13, 2026; by a Collective of Women and Mothers of Political Prisoners, COFEM, based in Douala, through Archbishop Samuel Kleda of the Douala Metropolitan Archdiocese.

The drafters of the memorandum, which was also on the social media and attracted over half a million signatures within hours, are intended to draw your divine attention to the plight of numerous "political prisoners, held in Cameroon and to request your intervention with the country's authorities for their release".

At the heart of this effort is the case of Djeukam Tchameni, a lead supporter of Issa Tchiroma, who, this this day, continuous to claim he won the October 12, 2025 presidential election. 

Djeukam Tchameni has been incarcerated since October 24, 2025, at the dreaded Kondengui Maximum Security Prison, in the nation’s capital. The petitioners also say many other detainees were "linked to the conflict in the North West and South West Regions and the post-election crises of 2018 and 2025".

According to the initiators, the petition to you got more than 580,000 signatures, reflecting significant mobilisation in Cameroon and abroad regarding human rights concerns and the detention conditions of those they call "political prisoners".

In a press conference, held in Douala on April 9, 2026, before the memorandum was drafted, Archbishop Kleda prayed that "…may the visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, offer an opportunity for ‘political prisoners’, held without trial, to be released.”

“Our country has experienced many crises, some of which are still ongoing,” the Archbishop emphasised.

He added that: “Also worrying is the political situation, following the unrests, after the presidential election last October, in which 92-year-old Paul Biya was re-elected for the eighth time as Head of State; an election marred by serious irregularities, according to the opposition and various external observers. Several people were arrested during the post-election demonstrations, particularly in Douala, which was the epicentre of the protests".

He explained further that: “There was a crisis after the election, resulting in the arrest of many people. Some of them have been released, but many are still in prison. Those imprisoned also include people who have never been brought to trial”. 

“This is an opportunity," referring to you, "to work to change this situation and do everything we can, to secure the release of our brothers,” declared the Archbishop of Douala.

Your Douala Archbishop also said: “This is the fourth time Popes have come to Cameroon. That is a special blessing...”.

“The fact is that we are not saints… and that we have not succeeded in putting the Gospel into practice. The Pope’s current visit is a new opportunity for renewal and for ensuring that our society can live in peace,” the Archbishop added.

The Guardian Post draws the attention of the Holy Father to a visit to Ngaoundere, on November 10, 2025, by Territorial Administration Minister, Paul Atanga Nji, where he announced the release of about 60 youths, detained after the October 12, 2025, presidential election unrests. As we write, Your Holiness, hundreds of others remain incarcerated, reportedly under deplorable and inhumane conditions.

Your Holiness, it should also interest you to note that re-elected with a marginal 53.66% of the votes, President Paul Biya called for national reconciliation, as he took office for his 8th term. 

“On this day, as I begin a new mandate, by the will of God and the sovereign Cameroonian people, I want to extend my hand to everyone. Together, we must lay the foundations for an even more promising future for our country,” he had said, during the November 6, 2025, oath-taking ceremony. 

Your Holiness, your host is not just one of your staunch followers but a "beggar of peace," to use his words. 

The Guardian Post took note of your address to political leaders as you began this continental trip, warning that “…the future belongs to those who do not allow themselves to be blinded by power or wealth. Africa knows all too well that people and organisations that dominate others destroy the world”. 

We also acknowledge that your mission when visiting conflict zones is fundamentally pastoral, focusing on peace, reconciliation, and solidarity, rather than political intervention.

With every good wish to Your Holiness, as you are in Cameroon, The Guardian Post can assure you that President Paul Biya, who is your staunch follower, has your ears.

For the interest of peace, reconciliation and forgiveness, we urge you to ask him to free all those detained in connection with the armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions, as well as those currently being detained after the 2028 and 20205 post electoral violence. 

Your Holiness, we make bold to say that it is within the ambit of your apostolic assignment, given that Prophet Isaiah preached peace through trust, not political or diplomatic manipulations.

We wish you an enjoyable, memorable stay in our beautiful country, Cameroon and a safe return to the Vatican.

                                        Yours sincerely,  

                                     The Guardian Post