Jesuit Priest, Lado Ludovic Calls for Non-Violent Resistance to defend the ballots: The Time is Now or Never* By Lambert Mbom.
In a nearly seven-minute video message streamed on his Facebook page, Rev. Dr Lado Ludovic (SJ) issued a rallying cry to Cameroonians for nonviolent resistance in defence of the truth and democracy following next Monday’s announcement of the results of the October 12 presidential election.
“The situation is critical. This is the moment. It’s now or never. The time has come for mobilization and nonviolent resistance,” declared the Jesuit priest.
He stakes this cry on the foundation of truth, noting that “We have the civic and moral obligation to defend the truth of the ballots. And God is on the side of the truth. And the simple truth is, Issa Tchiroma Bakary has been elected as the third President of the Republic of Cameroon.”
The priest called for a groundswell uprising and mobilization across all ten regions, cities and villages of Cameroon. It needs to be massive and widespread.
Addressing his Bamileke confreres, he asks if they are ready to shutter their businesses for a couple of days as an act of non-violent resistance to defend democracy and to defend the truth? He challenges them to wake up and not be blinded by business pursuits, but to remain complicit at such a crucial and critical moment in the country’s history.
He acknowledges that the people of the North West and South West regions (NOSO) were already leading the resistance, as over the past nine years they have been fighting the regime. They already rejected this regime.
It is worthwhile stating that five years ago, Oct 12 2020, Fr. Lado attempted to trek from Douala to Yaounde, a distance of 160 miles, in protest of the crisis going on in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon. Even though he dubbed it a pilgrimage of peace, the Police arrested him 30 miles into his trek and transported him to Yaounde for questioning, where he was banned from continuing with the pilgrimage.
Turning to the Bassas and Ekangs, he affirmed that they are already in the resistance. He invited them to join the resistance. It is a revolution of seismic proportions
Addressing the Religious leaders, the priests and pastors, he exhorts them to join the resistance. This is not the time for sermons on peace. Leave the sacristy and pulpits and follow the example of Martin Luther King Jr, says Lado. The imams have already taken the lead.
There must be a general mobilization, even virtually. The fearless cleric recommends that, immediately, the President of the Constitutional Council announces Biya as the victor of the 2025 elections, the resistance must begin. First, online: All should blanket the online space with the words “Issa Tchiroma elected third President of Cameroon.” Then those on the ground must come out and protest nonviolently in defense of their votes.
This message echoes the fiery speech delivered by Honorable Joseph Wirba nine years ago in the National Assembly, who, in the early days of the crisis in the North West and South West regions, quoted Thomas Jefferson, saying: When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a duty.
While the Bishops of Cameroon issued a letter citing irregularities during the voting and echoing the concerns of the voters, namely that they hope they will recognize their votes when the results are proclaimed, Fr. Ladovic goes further and issues a bold Call to Action: Resist.
Rev Dr Ladovic Lado is a social and cultural anthropologist and a social justice activist. He is a very vocal critic of the government of Cameroon. He is currently a Yang Visiting Scholar at the Harvard School of Divinity, USA. His prophetic voice is a breath of fresh air.
