Cameroon rebels pause fighting for three days during papal visit

English-speaking separatists in Cameroon announced a three-day pause in fighting to allow safe travel during Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the country, the Associated Press reported on April 15, a move that could ease tensions temporarily in conflict-affected regions.

The Unity Alliance, which includes several separatist groups, said late on April 14 that the truce would allow civilians, pilgrims and officials to move safely during the pope’s visit. The pause reflects what the group described as the “profound spiritual importance” of the trip.

Government spokesperson René Sadi said earlier that all necessary arrangements had been made to ensure the visit proceeds smoothly, but the government is yet to respond to the separatist alliance’s announcement.

Pope Leo is due to arrive in the capital, Yaoundé, as part of an 11-day trip to Africa that began in Algeria. The tour, which includes multiple stops across the continent, is focused on outreach and engagement with communities affected by conflict and poverty. He is scheduled to lead a “peace meeting” on April 16 in the Cameroonian city of Bamenda, a city at the centre of the conflict between separatist forces and government troops.

A Unity Alliance spokesperson, Lucas Asu, said the pause showed “responsibility, restraint, and respect for human dignity” despite ongoing fighting. He added that the visit should remain a spiritual event and not be interpreted as support for any political authority.

Fighting in Cameroon’s English-speaking western regions began in 2017 when separatists launched a rebellion seeking independence from the French-speaking majority. The conflict has killed more than 6,000 people and displaced over 600,000, according to the International Crisis Group.

Pope Leo’s visit comes amid efforts to highlight the need for dialogue, with Bamenda remaining a focal point of the crisis and one of the areas most affected by the violence.

Although the number of deadly attacks has declined in recent years, the conflict remains unresolved. Peace talks with international mediators have stalled, with both sides accusing each other of acting in bad faith.

The crisis is linked to Cameroon’s colonial history. The country was divided between France and Britain after World War I, and English-speaking regions later joined French Cameroon in a 1961 U.N.-backed vote. Separatists say they have since faced political and economic marginalisation.

Associated Press, Maghrebi.org