The government of Cameroon in August ordered the closure of dozens of churches in an attempt to put an end to what it considers to be anarchy among some Christian organisations.
The measure, which authorities began to impose on August 23, targets Pentecostal churches, which are not officially recognised.
The minister of communications, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, said on August 28 that the churches engage in ‘unhealthy’ and ‘indecent’ practices contrary to the goal of spiritual growth of the people. He also denounced ‘obvious cases of extortion of people in desperate situations’, ‘repeat nocturnal uproars’ and ‘proselytising’. ‘In such a situation… the government could not remain indifferent and inactive’, he said.
