Wilfred Enow agbor
Yaounde, Cameroon.
The allegations made by some public opinion and media on the violation of freedom of worship in Cameroon have been the motive for a press conference organized by Issa Tchiroma, Minister of Communication at the ministry’s conference hall. This has been to clarify the doubts centered around the act of the government to close down illegal churches throughout the national territory.
According to the press conference the analysis of the government’s action is not to prevent the operation of churches and worship but to prevent the operation of illegal churches and ensure the respect in the way and mode of worship. And even the manner of operation in pursuant to the law. By implication, any act of disorder, none respect of the law or constitution of the land by any church will invite sanction from the government.
The preamble of the constitution of Cameroon states, “The state shall be secular, the neutrality and independence of the state in respect of all religion shall be guaranteed.”
This is supported by the universal declaration of human rights which states in its article 18,
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought conscience and religion, this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief…..”
The above quotations justifies the constitutionality of freedom of worship and so therefore the state of Cameroon has no reason to seal churches or prevent freedom of worship as long as the churches operate within the confines of the rule of law.
Between 1990 and 2009, only 47 churches have been duly authorized in Cameroon, as per the statistics from the ministry of territorial administration. This therefore portray the existence of any other church after the above date as illegal, irrespective of the mode and techniques of worship or manner of operation.
According to the government, the proliferation of churches throughout the nation’s territory with unorthodox modes of worship is actually the reason for the government’s intervention to clean the house. Churches which claim to redeem souls have hidden agenda.
While some churches raise administrative authorization as a legal defense, others are characterized by extortion of huge sums of money from weak and hopeless persons in a bid to seek salvation and miracles. Some constitute nuisance, especially during ungodly hours, others destabilize and tear families apart. Cultism is even practiced in some causing death.
As a state of law the ministry of territorial administration decided on a temporary measure to clean the house and restitute public order. This act of the government was supported by public opinion as the issue was debated at the national assembly in a plenary session of June 28, 2013, following an oral question no 391/QO/AN/8 raised by Honorable Lyonga Rachael Celestine nee EPOUPA.
During the session, the national assembly asked the government to account for the proliferation of churches in the country and whether or not, there exists a legal confessional list.
To this effect, over 40 illegal churches were sealed in Bamenda, Douala and Yaounde. Some which can only be identified with the name of the promoter like Malachi Botombe located in Yaoundé at the Ngousso neighborhood.
