Cameroon to close 1,400 new churches amid regulatory crackdown
Cameroon’s Minister overseeing religious affairs, Paul Atanga Nji, declared on July 8, 2026, the “imminent 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 churches register with his departments. However, a significant number failed 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 convocation followed the tragic murder of an 11-year-old girl in late June, allegedly by a 22-year-old female congregant of “Vie et Paix.” The young victim sustained 17 stab wounds, with the perpetrator reportedly claiming to have acted under divine instruction.
This shocking incident, which deeply resonated across Cameroon, was preceded by another similar crime in March involving an 11-year-old girl, though the motives for that earlier act remain undisclosed.
The Cameroonian government has been actively addressing the proliferation of new churches throughout 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.
Similar to trends observed in other African nations, the emergence of Christian sects gained considerable momentum in Cameroon starting in 1994. This growth was fueled both by a law promoting freedom of association and the economic hardships that followed the devaluation of the CFA franc. The currency devaluation created widespread financial difficulties for African countries, often pushing vulnerable populations towards various preachers.
In 2025, the Cameroonian government had already ordered the closure of nearly 200 places of worship belonging to new churches, primarily citing noise disturbances. At that time, unapproved new churches were explicitly warned to “begin closing down and packing up.”