His Grace Andrew Nkea Archbishop of Bamenda has made an appeal to non state armed fighters currently involved in the armed conflict in the area to reconsider their position. In a recent letter addressed to Catholics in the Archdiocese of Bamenda titled "the time for peace is Now", the prelate makes the following appeal to the fighters he named "Amba Boys" who he says played a crucial role in the life of the Catholic church.
Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda
"28. Next, I want to make an appeal to the “Amba Boys”. All of them are our children, our brothers and sisters; our relatives and friend. Some were very active altar servers and cadet girls in our parishes and
institutions; so, many of them have even better moral formation than a good number of us. In fact, the overwhelming number of them believe that they are on the right track and are doing what is right in order to defend their inalienable rights and the truth. Some have made up their minds that they want to retaliate their villages which have been burned; their people who are being arrested, tortured and killed. Whether we think they are right or wrong, is immaterial at the moment. Now is the time to talk Peace with them. If we are appealing to the military to stop killing our people, we are also appealing to the Amba boys to drop their guns come out of the bush. Some of these young boys and girls are convinced and passionate in their resolve. Hence, they need us, not to continue to hunt them down, but to take them seriously, listen to them and allow them to express their frustrations and vexations. That is why as Archbishop of Bamenda, I make a special appeal to these “Amba Boys”. While we are all trying to negotiate issues, I appeal to those of them who are guilty, to stop kidnapping, terrorizing and killing the very people they claim to be defending. Some of them are even fighting and killing each other. Such attitudes only further antagonize and complicate their cause. Too many atrocities have been committed and if each person goes out for retaliation and vengeance, we will only increase the amount of suffering in our society. God knows what has happened, what is happening and what will happen; so, let us hand over this course into the fatherly care of our God who loves each of us unconditionally. The Name of God is Mercy; and He brings us His compassionate love. Let us bring that love to others." Archbishop Andrew Nkea Of the Archdiocese of Bamenda
institutions; so, many of them have even better moral formation than a good number of us. In fact, the overwhelming number of them believe that they are on the right track and are doing what is right in order to defend their inalienable rights and the truth. Some have made up their minds that they want to retaliate their villages which have been burned; their people who are being arrested, tortured and killed. Whether we think they are right or wrong, is immaterial at the moment. Now is the time to talk Peace with them. If we are appealing to the military to stop killing our people, we are also appealing to the Amba boys to drop their guns come out of the bush. Some of these young boys and girls are convinced and passionate in their resolve. Hence, they need us, not to continue to hunt them down, but to take them seriously, listen to them and allow them to express their frustrations and vexations. That is why as Archbishop of Bamenda, I make a special appeal to these “Amba Boys”. While we are all trying to negotiate issues, I appeal to those of them who are guilty, to stop kidnapping, terrorizing and killing the very people they claim to be defending. Some of them are even fighting and killing each other. Such attitudes only further antagonize and complicate their cause. Too many atrocities have been committed and if each person goes out for retaliation and vengeance, we will only increase the amount of suffering in our society. God knows what has happened, what is happening and what will happen; so, let us hand over this course into the fatherly care of our God who loves each of us unconditionally. The Name of God is Mercy; and He brings us His compassionate love. Let us bring that love to others." Archbishop Andrew Nkea Of the Archdiocese of Bamenda
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