Persecution of Christians in Cameroon: as in many other countries, the fact that Christians are a majority in Cameroon does not save them from persecution. About 70% of Cameroon’s population is Christian. Orthodox Christianity is a recent presence there, arriving in the country in 1951. Greek merchants at that time immigrated to Cameroon and established Orthodox churches. In the 1980s, Holy Orthodoxy began spreading to the native population, under the auspices of the Church of Alexandria. The Archdiocese of Cameroon was established in 1959 and is under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Now the Christians of Cameroon are facing persecution and many Christians have fled their homes. Please pray that Almighty God would restore peace to Cameroon and provide for a flourishing of Orthodoxy there. For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in Cameroon, see here.
“Seven killed and 21 young people kidnapped in Far North Cameroon as Boko Haram rampage continues,” Barnabas Fund, December 10, 2019:
Seven people were killed and 21 children and young adults were kidnapped in yet another spree of devastating Boko Haram attacks on mainly-Christian villages in Far North Cameroon in December.
The murderous rampage in Mayo Sava district began on 1 December, just a month after a spate of similar attacks. Gunmen opened fire on mourners gathered at a funeral in Kotserehé, forcing them to flee in all directions. An eyewitness said, “It was a total rout … women have fled without being able to take their children with them.”
The attack left four dead and three wounded. The witness added, “A place of mourning has turned into a theatre of war that has ended in carnage.”
The following night, three people were murdered and another wounded when a large number of armed militants swarmed Zangola village. The extremists looted homes, stealing food and clothing as the villagers fled for their lives.
A Barnabas contact said, “Helpless before the terrorists, the people had only their eyes to cry.” The army arrived but their attempt to pursue the marauders was unsuccessful.
In another attack, also on 1 December, the militants caused major damage in Yagoua village, ransacking eleven homes, stripping them of food and basic items.
The village of Mbreche was next to be attacked. At around 2 a.m. on 5 December, the militants searched from house to house and kidnapped 21 young people – nine were girls and twelve boys. The youngest were three girls and a boy, all aged twelve, and the oldest two young men aged 21. Four of the young people, including a girl aged 13, managed to escape.
As the armed gang fled, they attacked the village of Tahert, injuring a young girl and stealing a motorbike. It is thought that those abducted will be forced to become Boko Haram “soldiers” and fight on behalf of the extremists….
