Using pulpit to pressurise President Biya.

On arrival in Yaounde last Friday, she said: “In a time of terrible conflicts around the world, and sufferings here in Cameroon, I come with the message of the Gospel. This is always a message of peace.”

Mullally added that: “It is a joy to be visiting Cameroon. I come as a pastor and shepherd to be alongside the Anglican faithful, and assure them they are not forgotten. I bring with me the prayers of our global Anglican family. I look forward to being alongside our beloved brothers and sisters in the Diocese of Cameroon-to accompany them, encourage them, and hear about their lives in this land”.

She then added that: “I invite Anglicans around the world to pray for the Church here and for the people of Cameroon”.

Like the Pope, she understands the “sufferings” of, not only her church followers, but the entire country, caused especially by the armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions and endemic corruption.

Although a pastoral visit, like that of the Pope, last April, when he told President Biya to break the chains of corruption, serve as bridges instead of division, and pursue dialogue and justice for ongoing conflicts, the Archbishop is not going to deviate from a similar appeal.

A statement from her office pointed out that after meetings with government, religious and civil society officials, including an audience with the Prime Minister, Head of Government, she will conclude at the Unity Palace.

It was the same audience that the 106th head of the 492-year-old Church had with the Ghanaian President, John Mahama, where she started her 10-day African trip. 

Such visits to political leaders are often intended to put pressure on the government to choose dialogue, instead of the bullets, end the sufferings of citizens and protect human rights.

 The Ministry of External Relations described the visit as both an official and religious event, with preparations that involved Cameroonian government authorities, representatives of the Anglican Church and the British High Commission.

The leader of the Church of England is reputed to have “soft moral influence and global symbolic reach, rather than hold significant moral stature and convening power”.

Again, like the Pope, she addresses international human rights, climate change, poverty, and refugee policies, using the pulpit to pressure world leaders.

As she “invited Anglicans around the world to pray for the Church here and for the people of Cameroon,” she will not be taking a sermon to the Unity Palace.

She will be taking a plea, or more bluntly, pressure for the government to embrace dialogue, justice, peace and unity, which have not been absent in speeches by the Cameron leadership on numerous occasions.

The question politicians have asked has been in a paradigm of not mixing religious and politics- Does pressure from religious leaders on government have any effect?

Research and history often answer the question in the positive. Contemporary studies in Africa indicate that “religious pressure can bring profound change, acting as a powerful force for social mobilisation, community development, and political transition, though it can also reinforce division or status quo. Because faith commands deep trust and massive following across the continent, religious institutions and leaders hold unique leverage to shape public life.”

Over the years, Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist and Muslim leadership have complained about the “sufferings” of Cameroonians due to corruption, the armed conflict in the North West and South West Regions and inadequate infrastructure.

They have pressured politicians, using moral, social, and most notably corruption, human rights and civil rights, and the sanctity of life. 

Clerics, like in many African countries, have leverage their moral authority and large congregations to demand policy changes or steer government actions on issues concerning their flocks, which is what the August visitor is doing.

With an added voice to that of a lady with followers in 165 countries around the world, The Guardian Post, while wishing her safe journey back to England, can only hope that in her words: “May these coming days be a blessing and encouragement to us all,” and renew our commitment to justice, unity and peace in Cameroon and around the world.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3867 of Monday August 03, 2026