Cameroon Minister Orders Religious Groups to Cease Harmful Practices
Cameroon's Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, has summoned leaders from several churches in Yaoundé to address serious concerns and alleged "deviations" within their operations. The minister specifically called out the Jehovah's Witnesses and the "Vie et Paix au Cameroun" (Life and Peace in Cameroon) evangelical church. For the Jehovah's Witnesses, Atanga Nji emphasized that singing the national anthem is a non-negotiable national obligation, rejecting their claim that it conflicts with their religious beliefs. He also criticized their opposition to government health initiatives, such as blood donations and vaccinations, which are crucial for saving lives.
Regarding the "Vie et Paix au Cameroun" church, the minister expressed deep sorrow over the recent murder of an 11-year-old girl in Yaoundé, allegedly at the behest of a prophet from the congregation. Atanga Nji highlighted that such criminal activities, along with family divisions and manipulation, are unacceptable. He stated that administrative tolerance for such practices has ended, especially concerning "revival churches" often managed by individuals engaging in criminal behavior. To address these issues, a national operation is underway to regulate religious congregations, leading to the closure of approximately 1,400 revival churches over the past 18 months. Future measures include establishing a national registry of congregations and requiring annual reports on their activities and personnel.
This directive from Cameroon's Minister of Territorial Administration signals a significant governmental effort to assert state authority over religious organizations, particularly "revival churches." The minister's focus on national symbols like the anthem and public health campaigns suggests a broader agenda of enforcing civic compliance and state-sanctioned public welfare initiatives. The crackdown, including the closure of numerous churches and the imposition of new reporting requirements, reflects a potential tension between religious freedom and state control, aiming to mitigate perceived societal harms and criminal activities linked to certain religious groups. This move could reshape the landscape of religious practice in Cameroon, emphasizing alignment with national policies and potentially limiting the autonomy of religious bodies.
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