Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info (Editor)
Published on 2024-03-18 17:09:12
Twelve Christians, including a clergyman, from the True Church of God in Cameroon who were detained in Ngousso, Yaounde have been released, as reported by MMI. Barrister Ngawou, who helped secure their release, confirmed that only 12 individuals were detained and not the previously reported 30.
The Christians were arrested on March 16 after a chaotic incident in the church. They had gone to protest the installation of church leaders by Pastor Abate Francois, who claims leadership of the church and is being supported by Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji.
During the protest, the police reportedly used excessive force on the Christians before taking 30 of them into custody. The root of the controversy lies in the succession of leadership within the True Church of God of Cameroon following the death of its founder, Rev. Apostle Toukea Nestor in 2020.
Rev. Nestor had established a clear protocol for choosing his successor, and Pastor Landry Tchana Tchamy was chosen during an Extraordinary General Assembly in Ngousso in 2021. However, tensions arose when Pastor Abate Francois, allegedly backed by Minister Paul Atanga Nji, attempted to assert his leadership over the church.
Pastor Abate even went as far as installing Landry in front of Christians from 600 assemblies across Cameroon that had gathered for the assembly in Yaounde. Two months later, Abate drafted a new statute to suit his own ambitions, causing division among church members.
Matters escalated further when Pastor Abate tried to hold a General Assembly in Ayos to solidify his leadership, despite objections from Christians supporting Pastor Landry. An attempt to replace Pastor Landry’s name with his own in decisions further fueled the discontent within the church.
Despite efforts by the Divisional Officer of Ayos to ban Abate’s planned General Assembly, Minister Paul Atanga Nji recognized Abate as the leader of the church, leading to further conflict among church members.
The situation came to a head when Pastor Abate, with support from Minister Atanga Nji, tried to install his own appointees within the church, prompting protests from Christians aligned with Pastor Landry.
Though the detained Christians have been released, tensions within the True Church of God of Cameroon persist as different factions continue to fight for control and legitimacy.
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
