Peace Stakeholders call for a National Religious Council to reinforce dialogue and living together in Cameroon

A call for a National Religious Council to better drive peace and living together has been made by stakeholders for peace in Cameroon.

At a three days colloquium organized by the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism at the Congress Center in Yaounde October 7-9,2026 the need to better sensitize and coordinate peace and dialogue as well as cement the country’s living together concept through a peace council entity was recommended.

The colloquium accordingly was geared at raising awareness on the potential risks posed by certain religions and their practices, on social cohesion, harmony and peace in Cameroon.

It held under the theme theme, “Religions and the Promotion of Peace, Social Cohesion and Living together in Cameroon”.

The colloquium that brought together religious leaders, members of the civil society and Cameroonians of various walks of life, gave the opportunity for religious entities to exchange on how best they can contribute to driving peace and living together in Cameroon

One of the key recommendations to drive the much needed peace in the country was the creation of a national religious council that  could become a new forum for interfaith dialogue and conflict prevention in Cameroon. The proposal is among the recommendations adopted at a conference on religion, peace, and social cohesion organized in Yaoundé from October 7 to 9, 2026, by the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism (NCPBM). Participants also called for tighter oversight of religious communities and stronger enforcement of existing regulations.

Held at the Yaoundé Conference Center under the leadership of Peter Mafany Musonge, the event highlighted the difficulty of identifying representatives who can speak on behalf of revivalist churches. Participants proposed formally recognizing a representative body that could engage with public authorities and other religious denominations on behalf of these communities. Organizers acknowledged that they had struggled to identify people authorized to represent revivalist churches during the conference. Participants therefore recommended that these communities provide authorities and other stakeholders with a directory of their organizations and leaders.

The proposal aims to make it easier for revivalist churches to participate in interfaith dialogue. However, it also raises questions about who can legitimately represent a diverse group of communities with different structures, practices, and affiliations. Cameroon has previously seen the formation of evangelical church associations, but none has provided unified representation for all revivalist churches.

Alongside the proposal for a national council, participants called for stricter enforcement of legislation that governs religious associations, more regular inspections, and a code of conduct for religious leaders.

Cameroon already has a legal framework for these activities. Law No. 90/053 of December 19, 1990, on freedom of association stipulates in Articles 23 and 24 that every religious association must receive authorization through a presidential decree, following a reasoned opinion from the minister responsible for territorial administration.

The law also requires religious associations to maintain financial accounts and prepare an annual inventory of their assets. Under Article 27, their leaders must provide these documents, along with a complete list of officials, whenever the minister responsible for territorial administration or an authorized representative requests them. Article 30 also empowers the minister to suspend a religious association if its activities disturb public order.

The authorization system remains in effect. On January 23, 2026, President Paul Biya signed eight decrees that authorized new religious associations, including the International Christian Missionary Community, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Reformed Overcomers Chapel, and Winners Chapel International.

The conference recommendations therefore build on requirements already established by law rather than introduce an entirely new regulatory framework. They focus particularly on closer supervision of religious organizations and compliance with their existing legal obligations.

The proposed National Religious Council would not operate exclusively from Yaoundé. Participants recommended establishing interfaith structures across Cameroon’s regions and at administrative levels closer to local communities, particularly districts.

They also called for early-warning networks to help prevent conflicts between religious groups. Religious leaders would receive training in mediation, conflict analysis, and trauma awareness, allowing them to intervene before, during, and after crises. The conference recommended greater participation by traditional authorities, women, and young people in these mechanisms. It also urged religious denominations to coordinate their responses to hate speech through joint statements and peace education initiatives in schools and places of worship.

Participants further argued that religious mediation efforts should be accompanied by government action to address injustice and youth unemployment. However, the proposal for a National Religious Council raises an institutional question because Cameroon already has organizations devoted to interfaith dialogue. The Cameroon Association for Interreligious Dialogue (ACADIR), established in 2006, brings together representatives of Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, and Muslim communities, among others. It maintains local networks and carries out conflict prevention activities.

A 2019 U.S. State Department report on religious freedom in Cameroon also noted that ACADIR had established an organization called the National Religious Council that year to serve as an intermediary between the government and religious organizations.

The current status of that body remains unclear, as does any potential connection to the council proposed at the Yaoundé conference. The composition, powers, and process for establishing the proposed institution have also yet to be clarified.