Cameroonian journalist Tsi Conrad, imprisoned for over nine years, has penned a poignant letter to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to address the issue of political prisoners during a possible visit to Cameroon. In his letter dated February 13, 2026, written from Kondengui Central Prison in Yaoundé, Conrad makes a pressing appeal to the international community, highlighting the critical situation of imprisoned journalists and the persistent political tensions in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon.
Arrested in December 2016 while covering protests by lawyers and teachers in Bamenda, Conrad was charged with terrorism-related offenses and sentenced by a military court to 15 years in prison. This conviction has raised concerns about respect for legal procedures and freedom of the press, drawing criticism from human rights organizations and legal experts.
Tsi Conrad, originally from Bamenda, reports that he was documenting the demonstrations and the repression by the security forces when he was arrested.
In his letter to the Pope, Conrad describes his detention as a personal ordeal, but also as a reflection of a broader crisis that has plagued the Anglophone regions of Cameroon since 2016. He underlines the devastating impact of the conflict, with its trail of ghost towns, burned villages and silent schools.
Conrad implores Pope Leo XIV, in anticipation of a possible visit to Cameroon, to use his influence to defend his cause and that of other political prisoners. He also calls for the release of other detained journalists, such as Amadou Vamoulké, Mancho Bibixy and Thomas Awah Junior.
The case of Tsi Conrad has been raised repeatedly by international organizations such as Amnesty International, Freedom House, and the Committee to Protect Journalists. These organizations denounce his detention as a violation of freedom of the press and demand his immediate release.
In a poignant message, Conrad speaks of the pain of being separated from his family for nearly a decade and makes an appeal to the international community: "Please do not let our cries fade into silence. Help me go home".
Pope Leo XIV has already expressed his concern for imprisoned journalists, calling for their release and stressing the importance of freedom of expression and the press. In May 2025, he declared that "the suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press".
The situation in Cameroon remains worrying, with persistent calls for the release of Tsi Conrad and other political prisoners. The possible visit of Pope Leo XIV could offer a crucial opportunity to highlight these issues and encourage dialogue towards a peaceful resolution of the crisis.
