On September 7-9, 2019, global and regional ecumenical organisations, churches and mission societies met in Wuppertal, Germany, to discuss the deteriorating situation  affecting the Anglophone communities and regions of Cameroon and to explore ways of constructive engagement for justice and peace in Cameroon.

On invitation of the World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC), representatives of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the All African Conference of Churches (AACC), the African Communion of Reformed Churches (ACRC), Basel Mission German Branch, Mission 21, the Presbyterian Church (USA) Presbyterian Mission and the United Evangelical Mission (UEM) met with representatives of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon.

The participants

• listened to reports about the historic and increasing marginalisation of the Anglophone population;
• heard about severe violations of human rights committed by Cameroonian security forces and armed fighters struggling for the national independence of the Anglophone regions;
• were told about the closing of hospitals and schools
• and engaged with the situation of more than 500.000  of internally displaced persons.

In response to the severity of the situation, the participating institutions agreed to collaborate in an Ecumenical Forum on the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon. In cooperation with churches, church agencies and civil society organisations, the Forum will address the causes of the Anglophone crisis and work towards negotiated solutions in the Cameroonian national context. The World Council of Churches and the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon will convene the forum. Churches that strive for a constructive solution of the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon in the spirit of justice and peace are invited to join.

The Ecumenical Forum on the Anglophone Crisis in Cameroon will be active in the following fields: (1) Providing accurate information about the Anglophone crisis and about peace and justice initiatives that aim at constructive solutions; (2) undertaking international, regional and national advocacy for negotiated solutions; (3) peace building; and (4) accompanying of the affected population and the churches.

Wuppertal, September 9, 2019

World Council of Churches (WCC)
World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)
All African Conference of Churches (AACC)
African Communion of Reformed Churches (ACRC)
Basel Mission German Branch
Mission 21 (Evangelisches Missionswerk Basel)
Presbyterian Church (USA) Presbyterian Mission
United Evangelical Mission (UEM)
Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC)

Photo: Donating clothes, congregation of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon helps internationally displaced persons, poor, widows, orphans and homeless.