43Cameroon

Christians in Cameroon face pressure on multiple fronts. The most obvious one is violence and attack in regions of the country with a significant population of Muslim extremists. This is especially the case in the Far North region. Here, Islamic militants – specifically Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) – regularly attack, trying to carve out a caliphate in Cameroon’s most volatile region. Christians who live in these areas are targets for violence, including abduction and murder.

Converts from Islam are forced to practice their faith in secret, and owning Bibles or Christian books can be extremely dangerous. The violence has forced many churches to close, leaving some believers without a place of worship.

At the same time, all Cameroonians in affected areas suffer in the ongoing conflict between separatists and the nation’s government. This violence has created a massive humanitarian crisis. Christians caught in the middle have been accused by both sides of “harbouring the enemy”, and their churches and property destroyed.

Meet Fadi Zara

“There is peace. But we have some problems. Like farming – we don’t have farms to work in. Even my husband, it’s very difficult for him. Even finding food is very difficult for me.”

Fadi Zara (name changed), a believer from northern Cameroon who has endured multiple attacks from Boko Haram.

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 spiritual care for new believers.