Government to shut down 1,400 unregistered churches in Cameroon

Cameroon’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Paul Atanga Nji, has announced the imminent closure of 1,400 newly established churches nationwide, citing persistent administrative irregularities. The decision follows a deadline set in 2024 for these churches to formalize their registration—a requirement many have yet to meet.

Speaking after a meeting with leaders of the Vie et Paix revivalist church, the minister declared, “The grace period for compliance has expired.” This stern warning comes in the wake of a tragic incident in late June, where a 11-year-old girl was fatally stabbed 17 times by a 22-year-old adherent of the same church. The perpetrator claimed the act was divinely ordained.

The killing has sparked widespread outrage across the country, compounded by a similar case in March involving another 11-year-old girl, though details of that incident remain undisclosed. These events have intensified scrutiny over unregulated religious movements in Cameroon.

Crackdown on unlicensed places of worship

Since 2006, Cameroonian authorities have been clamping down on the proliferation of unregistered churches. In 2008, only 81 religious associations—including 46 Protestant and Pentecostal churches—were legally recognized under the country’s association laws.

The surge in new religious groups traces back to 1994, when Cameroon’s devaluation of the CFA franc triggered economic hardship, leaving many citizens vulnerable. This instability contributed to the rapid growth of charismatic preachers and unconventional faith-based groups.

In 2025, authorities had already shut down nearly 200 unlicensed churches for noise violations, issuing stern warnings to others operating outside legal frameworks to “pack up and leave.”