641 illegal churches recorded in Cameroon

A recent survey by the Ministry of Territorial Administration of Cameroon enumerated the presence of 688 churches across the country, while the official denominational table counts only 47.

This figure, according to other sources, would be much more important if one considers the proliferation of churches called "unorthodox" as well as the new prophets, who sometimes perform in private homes.

Asked about this development last weekend by MPs, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, did not hide his embarrassment, branding the topic "delicate" and ensuring the concern of governments to reconcile regulations of religious freedom.

"The operating results of our investigation should lead to appropriate measures and proposals in line with sanitation and regulation,” he said. “The approach of my department will have to focus on transparency, accountability, information and awareness of the owners and their congregation."

The question about the spread of the unauthorized distribution of religions, as it is noted, is indeed a cause for concern within the Cameroonian population.

In 2013, the Head of State Paul Biya, given the magnitude of the phenomenon, had instructed a survey of "unorthodox churches" which garner night noise complaints, fraud or destruction of households.

In the aftermath, some prefectural authorities, particularly in the regions of Centre and Littoral, undertook the closure of some blacklisted temples before being stopped in their tracks by the directives.