On July 8, 2026, the Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, held a meeting in his Yaoundé office to address the leadership of the Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation based in the capital.
The delegation was led by Stephen Attoh, president of the association, alongside spokesperson Dave Momo. The high-level meeting included key administrative officials, notably the Director of Territorial Organization, Louis Anaclet de Gonzague Ndzana; the Director of Political Affairs, Salomon Isanda Isanda; the Chief of the Legal Affairs Division, Maurice Mbeunou; and the Head of the Communication and Public Relations Division, Juliette Mbella.
The gathering was prompted by growing concerns raised by the administration regarding recurrent behaviors and deviations attributed to the religious community.
During the discussions, several critical points were examined. Minister Paul Atanga Nji specifically raised the issue of singing the national anthem, which he emphasized as a civic obligation that no legally established organization in Cameroon should evade. According to the Minister, respecting the symbols of the Republic constitutes a fundamental duty for all citizens, and failing to do so represents a serious infraction.
The talks also focused on the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ stance toward public health policies, particularly national vaccination campaigns and blood donations, with the Minister seeking clarifications on the congregation’s guidelines amid state-led efforts to boost public adherence to healthcare initiatives.
Furthermore, Paul Atanga Nji reminded the delegation that the Jehovah’s Witnesses had previously been banned from operating in Cameroon between 1960 and 1982 due to these very positions. He stressed that while churches and religious denominations are authorized today, they are expected to reinforce social cohesion, promote civic responsibility, and support the state in implementing public policies rather than acting as obstacles. The Minister maintained that places of worship must serve as spaces for citizenship education and not as lawless zones where challenging legal provisions and state institutions becomes a regular practice.
In response to the government official overseeing religious denominations in Cameroon, the congregation’s leaders read a biblical passage from Romans 13, verses 1 to 7, which instructs believers to respect established authorities. They reiterated that their primary mission is to preach the Gospel and train their faithful to maintain responsible conduct in accordance with biblical teachings. Consequently, they pledged to better guide their members toward respecting the laws of the Republic.
Concluding the meeting, the Minister of Territorial Administration reaffirmed his firm stance on the matters raised. He insisted on the necessity for all religious denominations to respect state institutions—starting with national symbols—and to contribute responsibly to consolidating peace, national unity, social cohesion, and civic duty.
