Cameroon announces impending closure for 1,400 new churches

Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, declared on July 8, 2026, the “imminent closure” of 1,400 burgeoning churches across the nation. The minister cited “persistent administrative irregularities” as the primary justification for this sweeping measure.

Back in 2024, the minister had instructed all newly established churches to formally register with his department. A significant number, however, have yet to comply with this directive. “The period of tolerance has now ended,” Minister Atanga Nji affirmed during a meeting with leaders of the “Vie et Paix” revival church. This particular congregation was summoned following the horrific murder of an 11-year-old girl in late June. The young victim tragically succumbed to 17 stab wounds inflicted by a 22-year-old female adherent of the “Vie et Paix” church, who claimed to have acted under divine instruction.

This shocking incident, which deeply resonated throughout Cameroon, followed another similar crime committed in March of the same year. In that earlier case, another 11-year-old girl was also murdered, though the specific motives were not publicly disclosed.

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

Similar to trends observed in other African nations, the rise of Christian sects has dramatically expanded in Cameroon since 1994. This surge was partly facilitated by the law on freedom of association and significantly exacerbated by the devaluation of the CFA franc. This economic downturn imposed severe financial hardships on African countries, pushing vulnerable populations towards various charismatic preachers.

Notably, in 2025, the Cameroonian government ordered the closure of nearly 200 places of worship belonging to new churches, primarily due to excessive noise pollution. At that time, unregistered new churches were explicitly warned to “begin closing down and packing up.”