Cameroon’s cults minister to close 1,400 new churches

Cameroon’s Minister of Cults, Paul Atanga Nji, announced on July 8, 2026, the impending closure of 1,400 new churches across the nation. The minister cited “persistent irregularities” in their administrative status as the primary reason for this decisive action.

In 2024, the minister had issued a directive requiring all new churches to register with his department. A significant number, however, failed to comply. “The period of tolerance has now ended,” he declared during a meeting with leaders of the “Vie et Paix” revival church. This particular meeting was convened following the tragic murder of an 11-year-old girl in late June. A 22-year-old follower of the “Vie et Paix” church reportedly stabbed the child 17 times, claiming to have acted under the instruction of the Holy Spirit, as detailed on the minister’s departmental website.

This shocking incident, which deeply resonated across Cameroon, 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 combating the proliferation of new churches since 2006. In 2008, authorities officially recognized 81 Christian associations, churches, and religious institutions, including 46 Protestant and Pentecostal denominations, all operating within legal frameworks.

Much like other African nations, the rise of Christian sects gained considerable momentum in Cameroon starting in 1994. This surge was facilitated by the law on freedom of association and exacerbated by the devaluation of the CFA franc (Communauté Financière Africaine). The economic hardship triggered by this devaluation pushed vulnerable populations into the embrace of various preachers.

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