The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government respects this right in practice. 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 has been refused permission to register or has been subjected to untoward delays or obstacles in the registration process.
Religious groups are free from taxation.
The Government accords prominent religious leaders and different faiths respect. 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. Reliable statistics on religious affiliation are not available. According to most estimates, some 40 percent of the population are nominally Christian, and about 40 percent are nominally Muslim. Insofar as many Christians and Muslims also practice traditional indigenous or syncretistic religions, approximately 60 percent of the population adheres in one form or another to traditional indigenous beliefs.