Cardinal Christian Tumi (1930–2021), born in Kumbo, became Cameroon’s only Cardinal
By Religious Correspondence
Bui County, nestled in the highlands of Ambazonia, is more than just mountains and valleys. It is widely known as the spiritual heart of Ambazonia. In both peace and conflict, the people of Bui have turned to God—not only for comfort but for guidance, resilience, and moral clarity.
Home of Great Religious Leaders
Bui has produced some of the most respected faith leaders in Ambazonian history—men of integrity who stood with the people and dared to speak truth to power.
Archbishop Paul Verdzekov (1931–2010), born in Shisong, was the first Archbishop of Bamenda. He played a key role in establishing the Catholic Church in West Cameroon after independence. Known for his humility, scholarship, and moral authority, he trained a generation of priests and promoted peace, education, and dialogue.
Cardinal Christian Tumi (1930–2021), born in Kumbo, became Cameroon’s only Cardinal. He was a fearless defender of the oppressed and a tireless advocate for justice. He spoke boldly for Anglophone rights and unity, even in the face of arrest and abduction.
In a historic moment of defiance, Cardinal Tumi organized the first-ever poll on independence during the All Anglophone Conference in 2019. The regime had imposed a restriction allowing only two options: unity and federation. However, at the popular request of participants, Tumi added a third option—separation—to the ballot. That option scored 69% of the total vote, revealing to the world for the first time that Ambazonians overwhelmingly supported independence.
It was a defining moment—a moral stand that contradicted Biya’s centralized authoritarian vision enshrined in his ideological handbook, “Communal Liberalism”—a doctrine many now regard as his personal “Mein Kampf.” Tumi’s action made it clear: when faith leads, the truth can no longer be hidden.
Bishop George Nkuo, current Bishop of Kumbo, has led the diocese through one of the most turbulent periods in its history. He has offered food, shelter, and pastoral care to civilians while issuing powerful calls for peace, accountability, and spiritual endurance.
Imam Abdul Karim Ali, a well-known Muslim scholar and public speaker from Bui, has become an international voice for justice. Known for his courage and wisdom, he has represented the Ambazonian cause in interfaith and diplomatic forums, always urging peaceful resolution grounded in the Qur’an and moral truth. He is currently held as a prisoner of conscience in Kondengui Prison—a French-controlled detention facility in Yaoundé—detained for daring to speak the truth about the plight of the Ambazonian people.
Prof. Bernard Fonlon (1924–1986), born in Nso, Bui, was the first Cameroonian Catholic priest, a philosopher, statesman, and public intellectual of global repute. As Minister of Transport, he created Cameroon Airlines by transforming Cameroon Air Transport, which had been developed in the Southern Cameroons, into a national carrier—at a time when La République du Cameroun had never seen a functional airport. He is remembered as the father of Cameroon’s bilingualism policy. He also translated the Cameroon National Anthem into English, a contribution that left a permanent mark on national identity and culture. His enduring writings on ethics, civic responsibility, and Christian humanism continue to influence generations.
Mr. Sendze, a proud son of Bui, was the first Chartered Civil Engineer under British standards from Ambazonia. A trailblazer in infrastructure and professional excellence, he rose to become President of the Cameroon Society of Engineers. His legacy continues to inspire generations of engineers and technocrats across the Southern Cameroons. He embodied the technical brilliance of Bui—a land where intellect, faith, and service intersect.
A Land of Many Faiths
Bui is not only a Christian stronghold; it is also home to a vibrant Muslim community, African traditional spiritualists, and interfaith families who have coexisted in mutual respect for generations. Together, these communities form a spiritual foundation that rejects hate and division.
Faith-Based Education and Formation
Bui is a center of learning and spiritual formation. Catholic and Presbyterian seminaries and schools have shaped both faith and reason in generations of Ambazonians. The renowned St. Augustine’s Major Seminary in Nso continues to train priests who serve across the territory and beyond. Muslim institutions, Qur’anic schools, and Islamic prayer centers likewise nurture moral and academic excellence among youth.
These institutions teach more than theology. They emphasize values such as honesty, compassion, justice, and service—principles that underpin the moral conscience of the Ambazonian liberation movement.
Places of Refuge and Prayer
Since the beginning of the war, churches, mosques, and religious centers in Kumbo, Jakiri, Shisong, Tatum, Nkar, and Mbiame have served as sanctuaries for displaced families, the wounded, and the vulnerable. Religious leaders, including nuns, pastors, and imams, remained on the frontlines offering aid, counseling, and spiritual reassurance.
Women of Faith: Unseen Pillars
Women have been at the heart of this spiritual strength. Catholic sisters, Presbyterian deaconesses, Muslim mothers, and female faith workers have led clinics, schools, and humanitarian relief with extraordinary courage. Their quiet work has fed the hungry, healed the sick, and kept communities together.
Faith and Language: The Role of Lamnso
The strength of Bui’s religious life cannot be separated from its cultural identity—particularly the use of Lamnso, the native language of the Nso people. Lamnso is not just a medium of communication; it is the spiritual heartbeat of liturgy, oral tradition, community leadership, and moral education in Bui.
Many church services, traditional prayers, and religious songs are delivered in Lamnso, reinforcing spiritual truths through cultural familiarity. The language carries sacred meaning, reinforces identity, and connects generations through worship and heritage. In Bui, language, faith, and culture are one.
Moral Voice and Interfaith Unity
The religious leaders of Bui—Christian and Muslim alike—have consistently called for peace, justice, and truth. They have helped frame the Ambazonian resistance not as a war of revenge, but as a struggle for dignity and restoration. They have stood against all forms of violence and reminded the people that defending one’s family and land must be guided by ethical restraint, love, and divine justice.
Faith in Governance: Dr. Sako’s Commitment
President Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako, leader of the Federal Republic of Ambazonia, has consistently upheld the central role of faith and religious liberty in the nation’s identity and future. Under his leadership, the Ambazonian Government has:
Affirmed freedom of worship as a fundamental right in all liberated areas
Consulted with religious leaders—both Christian and Muslim—on issues of humanitarian response, community healing, and moral governance
Publicly defended the Church’s and Mosque’s right to shelter civilians and speak truth to power
Recognized the contribution of religious institutions to education, health, and peacebuilding
Dr. Sako, himself a trained theologian and ordained minister, has led national calls to prayer and fasting during periods of intense suffering, and continues to affirm that the moral compass of Ambazonia is rooted in faith, justice, and righteousness.
Preaching Through the Airwaves
Churches and faith communities in Bui have used radio stations, newsletters, and even WhatsApp sermons to reach believers across the country. Radio Evangelium and other faith-based outlets continue to deliver messages of hope, prayer, and national purpose, even when physical gatherings are limited.
Harmony Between Faith and Tradition
Faith in Bui does not replace culture; it works with it. The traditional councils of Nso, including Nwerong and Ngiri, often collaborate with churches and mosques to promote youth discipline, family stability, and community reconciliation. Faith leaders draw wisdom from tradition while guiding people toward a higher moral law.
Bui: The Beating Heart of the Resistance
During the independence elections, Bui made its mark early on. Despite the intense tribal divisions of the time, the people of Bui overwhelmingly voted for Dr. E.M.L. Endeley, the first Prime Minister of Southern Cameroons. It was a bold display of political maturity—a clear message that vision and leadership mattered more than tribe.
Today, that same political clarity lives on in Bui’s unwavering support for the Ambazonian cause. Bui warriors proudly defend President Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako’s vision of a free, independent, and morally grounded Ambazonia. They carry not just arms—but a spiritual legacy, a political consciousness, and a generational oath to never surrender again.
In Honor of Our Spiritual Pillars
Let Ambazonia remember the names that gave its soul structure:
Archbishop Paul Verdzekov
Cardinal Christian Tumi
Bishop George Nkuo
Imam Abdul Karim Ali (prisoner of conscience)
Prof. Bernard Fonlon
Mr. Sendze
President Dr. Samuel Ikome Sako
Hon. Wirba Joseph
And the countless pastors, imams, sisters, catechists, engineers, warriors, and lay leaders—named and unnamed—who continue to serve in silence, sacrifice, and unshaken faith.
They are the heartbeat of Bui. And Bui is the conscience—and shield—of Ambazonia.
Religious Correspondence | The Independentist
