The Government at all levels generally protects this right in full, and does not tolerate its abuse, either by governmental or private actors. There is no state religion. Persons who wish to form a religious group must register with the Ministry of the Interior. Registration requirements are identical for all religious groups. There were no reports that any group had been refused permission to register or had been subjected to untoward delays or obstacles in the registration process.
Religious groups are free from taxation.
The Government accords respect to prominent religious leaders and different faiths. For example, Christian, Muslim, and traditional indigenous religious holidays are recognized officially and state-run television features coverage of the celebration of religious holidays and funerals of prominent religious leaders. Religious Demography Reliable statistics on religious affiliation are not available. However, according to most estimates, some 25 percent of the population are nominally Christian, and about 15 percent are nominally Muslim. At least 60 percent of the population adheres to one form or another of traditional indigenous beliefs.