Kinshasa, April 9th, 2025 (CPA) – The provincial divisions of Justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been banned by the responsible minister from identifying non-profit associations of a religious nature, according to a press release sent to the CPA on Wednesday. ‘It is strictly forbidden for provincial divisions to carry out the identification of non-profit associations of a religious nature themselves, or to charge fees for doing so, given that the operation is free of charge’, it read.
The Minister in charge of Justice warned against any attempt at extortion or manipulation linked to this operation, which he described as an administrative regulatory measure aimed at cleaning up the religious sector, the source added. It also invited the heads of religious denominations to pass on the resolutions of the multi-sectoral commission on noise pollution.
The press release also stated that recalcitrant offenders would face the full force of the law, before recommending that the heads of religious denominations pass on the resolutions of the multi-sector commission on noise pollution. ‘Heads of religious denominations are invited to pass on the resolutions of the multi-sector commission on noise pollution, on pain of the penalties provided for by law in the event of non-compliance’, the source noted. The Minister in charge of Justice has also asked the heads of religious denominations to continue the process of identifying non-profit associations of a denominational nature (religious denominations, churches, mosques, parishes….), as well as ministers of religion (archbishops, bishops, imams, sheikhs, lords, reverends and pastors), the source added. The operation to identify religious denominations was launched on 26 March. The initiative is part of the government’s policy of monitoring and structuring religious organizations, against a backdrop of exponential growth in the number of religious structures across the country.