The Russian Orthodox Church has officially formalised its presence in Cameroon through the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa. This was reported by the press service of the Moscow Patriarchate.

On 23 January, 92-year-old President Pol Biya, who has been elected president for the eighth time, approved a decree granting legal status and officially permitting the activities of the Patriarchal Exarchate of Africa of the Russian Orthodox Church on the territory of Cameroon.

The world’s oldest president is already notorious for repeatedly changing Cameroon’s constitution to secure the ability to be re-elected an unlimited number of times, dissolving the Constitutional Council after delegating to it the authority to govern the country after his death, and refusing to call elections to the Senate. He has now also become known for giving the Russian Orthodox Church an opportunity to expand.

Media outlets also report on seventy African students who are allegedly studying at universities in Russia.

Two years ago, the media reported that young Africans were being formed into construction brigades to work on building Russian churches, and were also being allowed to fight on the territory of Ukraine as part of Russian occupying forces.