Buea and Bamenda Diocese Condemned the killing of a 6year child in Buea by a gendarme.

Since 14 October 2021 when a gendarme officer on duty shot to death a child while her mother was driving her to school, both individuals, civil society organisations and religious institutions have condemned the act and call for justice for the child. Below are two statements from the diocese of Buea and Bamenda as publish officially on their platforms.

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DIOCESE OF BUEA

Tel: (+237)23322241 – Fax: (+237)23322671 – Cell: (237) 677432810

P.O Box 64, Buea, Email: dioceseofbrea@gmail.com; bishopbibi24@gmail.com

A Statement issued by the Bishop of Buea, in the wake of the brutal murder of a six- year-old, Enondiale Tchuengia Carolaise, a class one pupil of the Catholic University Institute of Buea Academy of Talents (CUIB A&T) Primary School

I witnessed with shock, sorrow, horror and fright, the deformed head on the lifeless body of six-year-old, Enondiale Tchuengia Carolaise, a class one pupil of CUIB Academy of Talents Primary School Molyko, Buea, who was brutally murdered today, Thursday October 14, 2021 at about 7:50 a.m.

The innocent child was shot dead by a gendarme officer opposite the Divine Mercy Co-Cathedral, Molyko, Buea as her mother was accompanying her to school. The angry crowd caught the gendarme

officer who carried out the act as he attempted to escape and lynched him to death. The late Carolaise was buried around 6:30 p.m. today at Saint Anthony of Padua’s Parish Cemetery Buea Town. The Diocese of Buea shall organize a special Mass to pray for her in the nearest future.

As we prepare to celebrate a funeral mass for this little angel, I join my voice to so many others in condemning the horrific shooting at a car that led to the death of an innocent child simply because the driver did not comply with security checks. I equally condemn the killing of the gendarme officer who committed the act by the mob, because no one has the right to take away human life.

The Church has always upheld the right to life for every individual. This right flows from the fact that every human person is created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:27), and thus possesses  human dignity, no matter the circumstances. Even when people by their actions dishonour the dignity of others, or deprive them of human life, as in the case at hand, we must still recognize their human dignity and right to life, which cannot be lost even by the vilest offence.

The civilian population has continued to pay the price of the reckless actions of shocking violence either from the security forces or the armed groups since the outbreak of the ongoing crisis, and this has in one way or another, contributed to radicalize some of them.

I feel the pains of the family of the late Carolaise and those who have lost their loved ones in similar circumstances. I urge the security forces to show more restraint in carrying out security operations that could put at risk the lives of innocent civilians. I extend my condolence to the bereaved families  and urge you all to pray for the dead. Let us continue to pray for justice, peace and harmony in our Country.

Yours in His Service,

Michael Miabesue Bibi

Bishop of Buea

BAMENDA PROVINCIAL EPISCOPAL CONFERENCE (BAPEC)

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Communique

Condemnation of the gruesome killings that happened in Molyko, Buca, on Thursday, 14 October 2021

It was with the deepest shock and pain, that we, the Bishops of the Ecclesiastical  Province of Bamenda, received the appalling news of the brutal murder of Enondiale Tchuengia Carolaise, a class one pupil of CUIB Academy of Talents Primary School Molyko, Buca, shot dead by a Gendarme Officer, opposite the Divine Mercy Co-Cathedral, Molyko, Buca, at about 7.50 am, as she was being led to school by her mother. Regrettably, violence begot violence, as an angry crowd descended on the errant Gendarme officer and lynched him.

We condemn these killings and reaffirm the dignity of the human person, and the fundamental and inalienable right to life, which must be respected in all circumstances, in keeping with the Commandment: “Thou shall not kill” (Ex. 20:13).

Observing, with deep regrets, the growing spiral of violence caused by the irresponsible use of arms by security officers and armed groups, we call for restraint and proper orientation of the Forces of Law and Order, and for greater responsibility on the part of citizens.

While commending the departed souls to God’s merciful goodness, we express our prayerful consolation to the bereaved families and invite Christians and all people of good will to pray and work for the restoration of peace. We strongly believe that the innocent  blood of Carolaise shall not go in vain but shall go down as a seed for justice and peace to reign in our troubled regions

Given in Bamenda, this 15″ Day of October, 2021, the Memoria of St. Therese of Avila.

 Andrew F. Nkea

Archbishop of Bamenda and President of BAPEC

(on behalf of the Bishops of BAPEC)