HIV/Aids is killing one person in every ten infected in Cameroon, the Federation of Protestant Churches and Missions was told at its annual council meeting in March. In the northern province of Adamawa, the death rate is as high as 12%. The construction of the Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline is likely to increase the incidence of infection.

The council, which met in Ngaoundere, the capital of Adamawa, called for the cancellation of Cameroon's international debts: the country is rich in natural resources, but is one of the most highly indebted states in Africa. It also discussed leadership wrangles in some member churches - described by Mbange Ebua, president of the federation, as an embarrassment and a disgrace.

The federation, founded in 1968, coordinates the efforts of 11 churches and strengthens ties of solidarity between them, while respecting their cultural and confessional identities.

Nyamsako-ni Nku

In November next year, Cameroon will host the assembly of the All Africa Conference of Churches, with the theme, inspired by Nehemiah 2.18, "Rise up, let us rebuild Africa". A host committee headed by Mbange Ebua and Nyansako-ni Nku (moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, and a member of WARC's executive committee) is preparing to receive roughly 3,000 delegates.

The assembly comes at a time when Africa is being torn to pieces, says Pierre Songsaré Amtsé, general secretary of the federation. Half of the world's refugees - more than 11 million people, scattered all over the world - are African. Africa is a perpetual beggar, crippled by debt and little helped by aid tied to donor self-interest. War and death, poverty and underdevelopment, are the common lot of its states. Africa cannot be rebuilt under conditions of exclusion, corruption and dictatorship.

Peter Kum Che, Presbyterian Church in Cameroon