Cameroon prepares for mass closure of 1,400 new churches

Cameroon’s Minister of Worship, Paul Atanga Nji, declared on July 8, 2026, that the nation is facing the “imminent shutdown” of 1,400 new churches. This drastic measure stems from what he described as “persistent irregularities” in their administrative status.

The minister had previously mandated in 2024 that all new churches officially register with his department. However, many have yet to comply. During a meeting with leaders of the “Vie et Paix” revival church, which he convened following a horrific incident in late June, Minister Atanga Nji emphasized that the “period of tolerance has now ended.” The ministerial website detailed that an 11-year-old girl was brutally murdered, suffering 17 stab wounds, at the hands of a 22-year-old female adherent of the “Vie et Paix” congregation. The assailant claimed to have acted under divine instruction.

This shocking tragedy, which deeply affected the entire country, was not an isolated event. It was preceded by a similar crime in March, where another 11-year-old girl was killed under unspecified circumstances.

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

The proliferation of Christian sects in Cameroon, mirroring trends in other African nations, gained significant momentum starting in 1994. This surge was partly facilitated by the law on freedom of association and exacerbated by the devaluation of the CFA franc. The resulting economic hardships pushed vulnerable populations into the embrace of various preachers.

In 2025, the Cameroonian government took action, closing nearly 200 places of worship belonging to new churches, primarily citing excessive noise pollution. At that time, unregistered new churches were explicitly warned to “begin closing down and packing up.”