The announced visit of Pope Leo XIV to Cameroon is at the heart of a controversy, with accusations of sabotage targeting Father Ludovic Lado. André Luther Meka, spokesperson for the ruling Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), accuses the priest of seeking to undermine the pontiff's visit by spreading allegations that the Cameroonian state is responsible for the assassination of Anicet Ekane, a political figure who died in detention.
Meka claims that Father Lado is trying to convince the Vatican that the Cameroonian state murdered Anicet Ekane, president of the African Movement for New Independence and Democracy (Manidem). "It has come to our attention persistently and repeatedly that a certain priest by the name of Lado Ludovic has been trying for a month to sabotage the State of Cameroon with the Vatican by accusing urbi et orbi the State of Cameroon of having assassinated Anicet Ekanè, political leader and President of Manidem, thus seeking to prevent the arrival of Pope Leo XIV in Cameroon," he said in a social media post. He calls on the prelate to come to his senses, threatening to reveal compromising information about him if he persists in this path.
Anicet Ekane died on December 1, 2025, while being held at the State Secretariat for Defense (SED). His arrest took place on October 24, 2025, following unrest after the proclamation of the presidential election results. Maurice Kamto, president of the Movement for the Renaissance of Cameroon (MRC), has denounced the confiscation of Anicet Ekane's remains by the authorities, fueling political tensions.
Father Ludovic Lado, known for his critical stance towards the Cameroonian government, had already sent an open letter to Pope Leo XIV in November 2025, urging him to postpone his visit to Cameroon. He denounced electoral fraud and the regime's contempt for the lives of the people. His statements have often aroused controversy, including his criticism of Christians who embezzle public funds.
Pope Leo XIV's visit to Cameroon, scheduled for spring 2026, comes in a tense national context, marked by a post-election crisis and an armed conflict in the Anglophone regions. The program for the visit includes stops in Yaoundé, Douala and Bamenda. Rumors of blockages and postponement of the visit have circulated, citing security concerns, disagreements within the Catholic Church, and financial difficulties. The visit to Bamenda is of particular importance because of the conflict in the region. The current controversy highlights the complex political and social challenges facing Cameroon as it approaches this major religious event. The Pope's call for the release of priests kidnapped in Cameroon in November 2025 also reflects security challenges.
