The constitution prohibits religious discrimination and provides for freedom of religion and worship, and equality for all irrespective of religious belief. It grants religious groups autonomy and the right to provide religious instruction. The government denied some applications for registration during the year, often for reasons related to documentation. Ministry officials described the religious groups it rejected as often “one-man operations” practicing a mixture of Christianity and traditional animist beliefs. Whether registered or not, officials stated these groups were allowed to operate freely if they obeyed the law and did not harm their neighbors.
There were no reports of significant societal actions affecting religious freedom.
U.S. embassy staff met with senior government officials from the Ministry of Interior to encourage continued respect for religious freedom and asked government officials to continue their outreach to religious communities to discuss religious freedom. Embassy staff encouraged Muslim, Protestant, and Catholic leaders to continue their interfaith dialogue and activities promoting interreligious tolerance and understanding.