Cameroon to close 1,400 new churches amid regulatory crackdown

Cameroon’s Minister of Worship, Paul Atanga Nji, declared on July 8, 2026, the forthcoming closure of 1,400 new churches across the nation. This decisive action stems from what he described as “persistent irregularities” in their administrative status.

The minister had previously mandated in 2024 that all new religious organizations register with his department. However, a significant number have yet to comply. “The period of tolerance has now ended,” he emphasized during a meeting with leaders of the “Vie et Paix” revival church. This particular meeting was convened following the horrific murder of an 11-year-old girl in late June. The young victim was tragically stabbed 17 times by a 22-year-old female adherent of the “Vie et Paix” church, who claimed to have acted under divine instruction, according to information from the ministry’s official website.

This shocking incident, which deeply distressed the country, was preceded by a similar crime in March, involving another 11-year-old girl, though the motives for that earlier tragedy were not disclosed.

The Cameroonian government has actively addressed the proliferation of new churches since 2006. In 2008, authorities officially recognized 81 Christian associations, churches, and religious institutions, including 46 Protestant and Pentecostal churches, all operating within legal frameworks.

Mirroring trends in other African nations, the rise of Christian sects gained significant momentum in Cameroon starting in 1994. This surge was influenced both by the law on freedom of association and the economic hardships caused by the devaluation of the CFA franc. The devaluation created widespread financial difficulties for African countries, pushing vulnerable populations towards various charismatic preachers.

In 2025, the Cameroonian government had already ordered the closure of nearly 200 worship sites belonging to new churches, primarily due to excessive noise pollution. At that time, unapproved new churches were explicitly warned to “begin closing down and packing up.”