Fr. John Berinyuy Tatah, the last of six Catholic priests abducted in Cameroon’s Bamenda Archdiocese on November 15, regained freedom on December 2, according to ACI Africa. Armed separatist fighters freed him in the North West region after reportedly seizing the priests during a university inauguration in Ndop.
Church sources said the details of his release remained unclear due to the sensitivity of the crisis. In a video circulated on Facebook, Fr. Berinyuy recounted how the group was taken and appealed for renewed dialogue to resolve long-standing tensions in the Anglophone regions. He said justice and peace were urgently needed and urged the Church and international bodies to address the suffering of local communities.
Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea of Bamenda condemned the abductions and reiterated the Church’s position against paying ransom. He reportedly urged all groups involved in the conflict to cease targeting clergy and civilians, adding that repeated kidnappings had pushed communities to the wall. The Archbishop also called on military personnel to act professionally and avoid exploiting residents.
The Anglophone unrest began in 2016 after protests by teachers and lawyers escalated. A separatist movement seeking independence for the so-called Republic of Ambazonia subsequently emerged, intensifying instability in the region.