The Constitution of Cameroon provides for a secular state with freedom of religion.[1][2]
Muslim centers and Christian churches of various denominations operate freely throughout the country. Approximately 60% of the population is at least nominally Christian (divided approximately equally between Catholic and Protestant), 20% is at least nominally Muslim, and 19% practice traditional indigenous religious beliefs.[3] Christians are concentrated chiefly in the southern and western provinces and Muslims reside in large numbers in every province. Traditional indigenous religious beliefs are practiced in rural areas throughout the country but rarely are practiced publicly in cities.
In 2022, several difficulties in the country were noted, including terrorist attacks on religious buildings in the far north, tensions between Christians and Muslims, and problems with religious groups trying to register with the government.[4]
In 2023, the country was scored 2 out of 4 for religious freedom.[5]
In the same year, Open Doors ranked it as the 45th worst country to be a Christian.[6]
The rest of this article in informed by the US State Dept 2007 report on Religious Freedom in Cameroon.[7] A later report is available.[8]
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ Wayi E. Mico (2016),A social analysis of the Religious situation in Cameroon.
- ^ The ARDA website, Retrieved 2021-08-01
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ Freedom House website, Retrieved 2023-08-01
- ^ Open Doors website, Retrieved 2023-08-01
- ^ US State Dept 2007 International Religious Freedom Report in Cameroon. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report on Religious Freedom in Cameroon