From Kondengui Central Prison in Yaoundé, Muslim scholar and peace advocate Abdulkarim Ali has issued a call for unity and calm ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to Cameroon. In a message dated February 26, 2026, Ali urges against politicizing this pontifical trip, which, according to the Civil Cabinet of the Presidency of the Republic, will take place from April 15 to 18, 2026.
While incarcerated, Abdulkarim Ali invites local leaders to prepare "with humility and courage" to welcome the Pope, presenting him as a bearer of a spiritual moment. He emphasizes the importance of interreligious harmony, insisting that Cameroon is a land where Christians and Muslims live in the fear of God.
Abdulkarim Ali's message invokes religious and philosophical references such as Saint Augustine and Immanuel Kant, highlighting truth, conscience, and moral duty in the pursuit of peace. He argues that the Pope's authority rests more on conscience than on political power.
Abdulkarim Ali's appeal insists on opening hearts and minds, warning against any political instrumentalization of the papal visit. The exact circumstances of the writing of this message from his cell remain unknown, and MMI News has not independently confirmed its authenticity.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Cameroon is part of a broader African tour that also includes Algeria, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. The Pope will visit Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala. This papal visit is generating hope, particularly in the crisis-stricken regions of the country.
Abdulkarim Ali, a peace advocate, has been serving a prison sentence for several years. He was arrested in August 2022 and sentenced by a military court for "hostility against the homeland" and "secession". Despite his detention, he continues to advocate for dialogue and the release of political prisoners.
Pope Leo XIV's visit could be an opportunity to promote peace and reconciliation in Cameroon. However, some voices are rising to denounce a possible instrumentalization of this visit by the regime in power.
