Blunt-speaking Pope tells Cameroon to root out corruption to find peace

The pontiff was unusually forthright in his address at the presidential palace. Pope Leo tells Cameroon's government to root out corruption to find peace Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Paul Biya, the world's oldest head of state, greeted Pope Leo in Yaoundé before the pontiff headed off to Bamenda Pope Leo in a red cape shakes the hand of President Paul Biya in a black suit with a white dotted tie. Behind them are banks of photographers and a floral arrangement. Blunt-speaking Pope tells Cameroon to root out corruption to find peace Pope Leo XIV has told Cameroon's government to root out corruption during a forthright address on the second leg of his African tour. "In order for peace and justice to prevail, the chains of corruption - which disfigure authority and strip it of its credibility - must be broken," he told those gathered at the presidential palace in the capital, Yaoundé, including President Paul Biya. The 93-year-old president won an eighth term last year in a disputed poll and his administration faces criticism over allegations of corruption, bad governance and a failure to tackle security. The Pope is now in Cameroon's English-speaking regions, where a separatist insurgency has raged for nearly a decade. He is expected to pray for peace at a Mass in the city of Bamenda, the centre of the violence which has left at least 6,000 people dead and many more forced from their homes. Excited crowds lined the streets to welcome Pope Leo. Earlier Anglophone separatists had announced a period of "safe travel passage" to accommodate his visit. Excited crowds lined the streets to welcome Pope Leo. Earlier Anglophone separatists had announced a period of "safe travel passage" "Security is a priority, but it must always be exercised with respect for human rights," the 70-year-old pontiff said on Wednesday, alluding to the brutal conflict. Since 2017, those seeking to create a breakaway state in Cameroon's two Anglophone regions have been fighting government forces. They are angered by what they see as the marginalisation of Cameroon's minority English-speaking community by the Francophone-dominated government. A young girl on the left wearing a gold sequinned dress and a beaded headdress. She is giving the pope - who is on the right and crouched down to her - a bouquet of red roses. He is smiling and wearing red. Partial shots of four men can be seen behind them. Pope prioritises world's fastest-growing Catholic region in major Africa tour A woman with short hair and a patterned dress glances down. 'Nowhere is safe' - Cameroonians trapped between separatists and soldiers Commentators say Pope Leo was unusually blunt in his speech, which Biya - the world's oldest head of state - sat through without reaction. "Hearts must be set free from an idolatrous thirst for profit," the Pope said. According to the Associated Press news agency, state television halted its live feed for parts of the pontiff's address - adding that it was not clear if technical issues were to blame. Pope Leo also described young people as the hope of Cameroon and the Church. "Their energy and creativity are invaluable. Investing in their education, training, and entrepreneurship is essential for peace and for preventing the loss of talent and the spread of social ills," he said. "I wish to highlight especially the role of women, who, though often victims of injustice, are tireless builders of peace. Their voice must be fully recognised in decision-making processes." President Biya had promised to prioritise women and young people after winning re-election in October. Expectations remain high amid a looming cabinet reshuffle. The Archbishop of Bamenda, Andrew Nkea, has said the pontiff's visit will bring hope to the people whose lives have been disrupted by the conflict in Cameroon's North-West and South-West regions. "I can confidently say now is the time for peace," said Nkea in an address to the Pope at the cathedral in Bamenda ahead of the Mass which will be held at the city's airport. Peace is the main theme of the Pope's 11-day tour of the continent, with Angola and Equatorial Guinea next on his agenda. He started his trip in Algeria on Monday, marking the first visit by any pope to the predominantly Muslim country. It is also the birthplace of St Augustine, and Leo XIV is the first pontiff from the order to follow his teachings. During his two days in Algeria he went to the Great Mosque in Algiers. "I think the visit to the mosque was significant and to say that although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshiping, we have different ways of living, we can live together in peace," he said afterwards. Additional reporting by Paul Njie in Bamenda Map showing the African continent and the four countries that Leo XIV is visiting along with the dates of the visits. Trump's rift with Pope is playing out in public - it's costing him valuable support Crowds cheer Pope Francis as he arrives at Kololo airstrip in Kampala Africa remembers Pope who spoke for the continent Rwanda's Archbishop Laurent Mbanda now leads Gafcon - the Global Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans Conservative Anglicans pull back from electing rival to Archbishop of Canterbury A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica The separatists say their decison reflects responsibility, restraint and respect for human dignity. The government usually refrains from commenting on the participation of its citizens in the conflict. Laura Blundell gives up her annual leave to volunteer with the charity Mercy Ships in West Africa. Malema is appealing against the decision to prevent him from being taken to prison on Thursday. Keba Seba is known for opposing French influence in Africa and backing West Africa's military leaders. Abubakar Malami was seen as one of the most influential ministers under former President Muhammadu Buhari. Zhang Kequn was arrested in March while trying to travel to China with more than 2,000 live ants. Roelf Meyer played a key role as a negotiator during talks to end white-minority rule in South Africa.