Separatist fighters in Bali Nyonga, a locality in the North West region of Cameroon, hard-hit by the Anglophone crisis have placed a ban on the activities of the Presbyterian Church Cameroon (PCC) in that part of the country after accusing the Moderator, the Rt Rev. Samuel Fonki Forba of failing to indict Governmen forces for the deadly attack at the PCC Ntanfuang on August 22 that left Rev. Voma Simon Montoh injured and Grace Titalabit death. They have asked for the Moderator and pastor Montoh's resignation.
Activities of the PCC Bali have been on a standstill for days following a restriction placed by separatist fighters.
In an audio circulating on social media, a representative of self-styled Ambazonia General Grand Pa said the Rt Rev. and the pastor of PCC Ntanfoang betrayed the mission of the church, that is to uphold the virtues of justice and truth at all times, by refusing to decline the identities of those respeonsible for the attack on the house of God. According to them, just like some Christians indicated, the military is responsible and the Church ought to have pointed that out.
“The PCC Moderator lied that he doesn’t know who killed Ma Grace Numvi. The pastor, Rev. Voma Simon Montoh who was shot in the arm says he too is not in the know as to who shot him and Grace. Christians say, the know those behind the shootings and that, it was the Cameroon military,” the voice said.
“The church is supposed to be the epitome of Justice and Truth but has been proven otherwise by the leaders who have resorted to lies telling. Because of this, we have decided to ban the activities of the Presbyterian Church in Bali until the Moderator and Pastor Numvi Simon resign. Christians can go to other churches, not the PCC.” It added.
Reacting to the ban, the PCC Moderator, Rt Rev. Samuel Fonki Forba said the Church would not report anything contrary until a clear report of an investigation into the attack is made available.
He added that the doors of the Churches in Bali would remain closed and asked PCC Christians to worship in sister churches, to the greatest surprise of some who took to social media to condemn the “coward decision”, quoting bible verses.
“PCC Bali Nyonga shouldn’t be such a weakling, bowing to terrorist threats. Cowards won’t make Heaven – Rev 21: 8” “by succumbing to terrorist threats, the PCC Moderator has denied Jesus 3 times before the cock crowed” “Jesus said in Matthew 16: 18 that even the gates of hell shall not prevail against his church. Why is the PCC afraid of ambazonia” Frankline Njume, popular Anglophone web influencer posted on Facebook.
Nonetheless, this view is not shared by all as others have indicated that respecting the decision of separatist fighters is much better than having Christians killed in the course of attacks.
Ariane Foguem
