Cameroon Archbishop decries inhumane prison conditions and corruption

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

In a pastoral letter on prison conditions published at the end of June, Archbishop Samuel Kleda of Douala, Cameroon, sounds the alarm on forced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and inhumane prison conditions in the country, reports the Vatican agency 'Fides.'

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Максим Воробьёв

It's a shame that this is happening in Cameroon. Archbishop Kleda rings the bell correctly - we cannot remain silent about disappearances and overcrowded prisons. Let's pray that there will be at least some progress.

Елена Зайцева

Yes, overcrowded cells and people disappearing are scary. Well done Archbishop Kleda for writing openly; in Africa, such a thing is rarely decided. I will pray for those who are sitting there without trial.

Ольга Попова

Yes, in such conditions, even a short period of time can break a person. I will also pray for these people, especially those who are being held without sentence. Do you often read news from African dioceses?

Софья Павлова

Yes, a short term in such a cell is already torture, especially without trial. I also sometimes watch news from Africa, but I rarely read about Cameroon; this material by Kleda just opened my eyes. Do you have any favorite African dioceses that you follow?

Ნ

ნათია კვარაცხელია

მაგრამ რა საშინელებაა, რომ ადამიანებს უბრალოდ ქრება და ტიხრებში ხუთასობით ცხოვრობენ. კლედას არქიეპისკოპოსმა კარგად გააკეთა, რომ წერილით გამოაქვეყნა, სხვანაირად ამაზე კვლავ დუმდნენ. I will also pray for these unjustly detained.

Mathilde Lefebvre

It is terrible these forced disappearances and these overcrowded prisons that Archbishop Kleda speaks of. I read that even a short stay without judgment can break someone, it sends shivers down your spine. I will pray for these detainees during mass on Sunday.

ميشيل حداد

Yes, the conditions described by Bishop Kleida are terrifying, especially forced disappearances and overcrowded prisons without trial. In Lebanon, we sometimes hear similar stories about detainees, but we do not dare to write them publicly. I will pray for those people on Sunday.

Екатерина Белова

Yes, Kleda is really taking a risk by writing openly like that—it’s no joke in Cameroon. Overcrowded cells and people without trial are just hell, especially in the heat. Where did you find out about this, from Fidesz or somewhere else?

Rémi Martin

Yes, these forced disappearances that Archbishop Kleda speaks about are particularly worrying. I knew a former colleague who spent three months in pre-trial detention in Douala without ever appearing before a judge; he came out changed, almost mute. I will add my prayers to yours on Sunday.

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