Bishop Nkea ANdrew, the Catholic Bishop of Mamfe in the South West region of Cameroon, says urgent dialogue is required to pull the country back from a “useless and senseless” civil war.

Bishop Nkea made the remark in an interview with the BBC’s Focus on Africa. To the Bishop, dialogue is a way out of the security crisis in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions.

By making such remarks, Bishop Nkea was adding his voice to that of his colleagues who had earlier written an open letterto the Cameroonian people, denouncing escalating violence in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions. The letter signed by the President of the bishops’ conference and Archbishop of Douala, Archbishop Samuel Kleda, stated among other things that, the Church is ready to serve as a possible mediator in case the government initiates a national dialogue for which many Cameroonians have called.

The crisis which escalated in 2016 has recorded many deaths, properties destroyed and full blown refugees situation.

In his recent statement to the press, US Ambassador to Cameroon, Peter Barlerin accused both the military and secessionist of targeted killings and looting.  He equally advised Cameroon’s President Biya to consider to the type of legacy he wants to live behind. Following the US diplomat’s remarks,  the government of Cameroon reportedly summoned the Ambassador for explanations.