Government shuts down nearly 200 churches in Yaoundé

By Stephen TADAHA

Repressive measures announced by the Government of Cameroon against illegal churches has begun with the closure of 188 churches in Yaoundé IV Subdivision in the Centre Region by the Divisional Officer, Elvis Akondi Mbahangwen.

The closure is in line with instructions from the Ministry of Territorial Administration, MINAT announced some months ago to fight against illegal churches in the country. This closure according to the administrator, is justified by multiple complaints from the population, of noise pollution, fraud, family disruptions from these false churches.

“The administrative authority is there for the protection of people and their property” and that “we cannot accept that our populations are deceived and manipulated” states the D.O. in a public outing to that effect.

Currently, only 47 religious congregations are authorized to exercise legally in Cameroon, by decision of the President of the Republic.

MINAT intends to continue its efforts to put an end to the activities of the illegal churches, thus responding to the calls of millions of citizens to a firm action against these “houses in the service of the devil”.

Recently, a deadline had been given by MINAT, for religious associations and other NGOs to put themselves in norms or fall into the repressive arm of the Government.