#44 in Christian persecution, Mexico
SCORE
64.63
REGION
Africa
PERSECUTION TYPE
Islamic oppression
RELIGION
Christianity
PERSECUTION LEVEL
Very High
POPULATION
26,614,000
CHRISTIAN
16,366,000
GOVERNMENT
Presidential republic
LEADER
President Paul Biya
PROFILE OF PERSECUTION
Violence 15.4/16.7
Church Life 13.1/16.7
National Life 7.2/16.7
Community Life 12.6/16.7
Family Life 7.6/16.7
Private Life 8.8/16.7
How the scoring worksDownload country dossier with in-depth research
What does persecution look like in Cameroon?
While Cameroon is officially a secular country, there are predominantly Muslim areas where Islamic extremism is growing. In the north, the extremist group Boko Haram is a violent presence—abducting, attacking or killing Christians, as well as disrupting church activities. In other areas, security injunctions have set heavy restrictions on church activities. Strong governance is lacking in Cameroon, adding to the vulnerability faced by persecuted Christians.
Christians who convert from Islam suffer persecution across Cameroon, and are at great risk if they tell anyone about their new faith, or if Bibles are discovered in their possession. They face this risk both from the wider community and their immediate family. Women who convert are often forced into marriage with non-Christians, and there are cases of children of Christians in the north being coerced by Muslim relatives to attend Islamic classes.
Meet Fadi
“I need God to stay with me in every situation, to do His wonderful power in my life.”
Fadi’s sister was kidnapped by Boko Haram, and Fadi has had to flee her home repeatedly
What has changed this year?
Boko Haram attacks continue to bring grief and destruction. While there was a slight decrease in reported incidents of violence, it remains at an extreme level. The spread of Islamic extremist violence in Cameroon has also affected church life, with security injunctions and displaced believers among reasons why churches are unable to operate and flourish.
Who is most vulnerable to persecution?
Christians in the far north of Cameroon are most vulnerable to Islamic extremist violence, but the risk of persecution is also growing in the northwest and southwest, partly due to weak governance and insecurity.
What does Open Doors do to help?
Open Doors works through local partners to strengthen persecuted Christians in Cameroon by providing emergency relief aid, trauma care, economic empowerment projects, and practical and spiritual care for new believers.
Population statistic: Johnson T M and Zurlo G A, eds., World Christian Database (Leiden/Boston: Brill, accessed April 2021).
Pray for Cameroon
Pray Cameroon’s government will take concrete measures to protect vulnerable communities.
Pray church leaders in the far north will receive God’s wisdom and strength as they minister to the persecuted, displaced and traumatized.
Ask God discernment for local Open Doors partners as they determine and implement ways to serve the persecuted church.
Stories from Cameroon
September 13, 2022
5 Boko Haram attacks later: Fadi still clings to Jesus
May 12, 2022
Aisha is ready to die for Christ if necessary
January 31, 2022
The top 5 trends from the 2022 World Watch List