Cameroon’s influential Catholic Church has referred to as for calm, as fears develop that violence may erupt as soon as official outcomes from the presidential election are declared.
Opposition candidate and ex-government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary has declared himself the winner of the 12 October election, saying he defeated 92-year-old President Paul Biya, who’s in search of to increase his 43 year-rule by seven extra years.
Tchiroma’s declaration was criticized by each the federal government and Biya’s ruling celebration, with a number of officers describing it as unlawful.
Cameroon’s Constitutional Council has not but launched the ultimate outcomes.
It has till 27 October to declare the winner.
Tchiroma’s defiance and promise to defend what the 76-year-old calls his victory has raised fears of violence within the central African nation.
In a press release launched by the Nationwide Episcopal Convention of Cameroon (NECC), Catholic Bishops expressed the necessity for peace and stability.
The clerics mentioned they hoped that the official consequence would replicate the need of the voters, and “nothing will probably be modified by any authority concerned on this train”.
The Catholic Church is very revered and is considered as an ethical voice of the nation.
Its assertion echoes the feelings of many, who’ve urged the Constitutional Council to make sure that the consequence isn’t rigged.
A number of the Church’s prelates have been outspoken of their criticism of Biya and the way he has ruled.
In January, Monsignor Yaouda Hourgo, Bishop of the Diocese of Yagoua within the Far North area, mentioned it was preferable for the “satan” to take energy, moderately than for Biya to hunt re-election.
“We’re not going to undergo any greater than this. We have already suffered sufficient,” he mentioned in his homily.
Following protests over alleged fraud, the Constitutional Council mentioned it will start listening to complaints on Wednesday. Its verdict will probably be essential in figuring out who would be the subsequent president.
In a message to the judges, the Catholic Bishops reiterated a easy message: “The reality shall set you free.”
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