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

In 2024, Minister Nji had directed all new churches to formally register with his department. However, a significant number have yet to comply with this mandate. “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, allegedly by a 22-year-old adherent of the church. The young victim suffered 17 stab wounds, with the perpetrator claiming to have acted under divine instruction.

This shocking incident, which deeply affected the country, follows another similar crime committed in March, where an 11-year-old girl also lost her life under undisclosed circumstances.

The Cameroonian government has been actively working to control the proliferation of new churches since 2006. By 2008, the state had officially recognized 81 Christian associations, churches, and religious institutions, including 46 Protestant and Pentecostal churches, all operating within legal frameworks.

Mirroring trends observed in other African nations, the growth of Christian sects in Cameroon significantly accelerated after 1994. This surge was partly facilitated by new legislation promoting freedom of association and exacerbated by the devaluation of the CFA franc. The economic hardship caused by this devaluation pushed vulnerable populations towards various charismatic preachers.

Just last year, in 2025, the Cameroonian government shut down nearly 200 places of worship belonging to new churches due to noise disturbances. At that time, authorities issued a clear warning to all unregistered new churches, urging them to cease operations and vacate their premises.