Cameroon’s government targets 1,400 new churches for immediate closure

On July 8, 2026, Paul Atanga Nji, Cameroon’s minister overseeing religious affairs, declared the impending shutdown of 1,400 emerging churches across the nation. He emphasized their “persistent administrative non-compliance” as the primary reason for this decisive action, reflecting a broader effort in African politics to ensure religious bodies adhere to established regulations.

The minister had previously mandated in 2024 that all new churches register with his department, a directive many have yet to fulfill. “The period of leniency has definitively ended,” he asserted during a recent meeting with leaders of the “Vie et Paix” revival church. This summons followed the horrific murder of an 11-year-old girl in late June, allegedly by a 22-year-old female adherent of the church, who reportedly inflicted 17 stab wounds, claiming to act under divine instruction.

This deeply disturbing incident, which sent shockwaves through Cameroonian society, was tragically preceded by another similar crime in March, also involving an 11-year-old girl, though the specific motives for that earlier act remain undisclosed.

The Cameroonian government has actively worked to curb the rapid growth of new churches since 2006. In 2008, for instance, official recognition was granted to 81 Christian associations, churches, and religious institutions, including 46 Protestant and Pentecostal denominations, all operating within legal frameworks.

Mirroring trends in other parts of Africa, the proliferation of Christian sects gained significant momentum in Cameroon starting in 1994. This surge was fueled by a law promoting freedom of association and exacerbated by the devaluation of the CFA franc, which plunged many African nations into severe economic hardship. Such conditions often left vulnerable populations susceptible to the appeals of various preachers, posing a complex challenge for governance in Africa and impacting societal stability.

In 2025, the Cameroonian government had already ordered the closure of nearly 200 places of worship belonging to new churches, primarily due to excessive noise pollution. At that time, unapproved churches were sternly cautioned to “commence winding down operations and preparing to vacate.” This ongoing oversight by the government underscores its commitment to maintaining order within Cameroonian society.