Recent news of 2 Face and Annie’s separation has reignited discussions on fidelity and the African man’s approach to relationships.
Adding to the discourse, Cameroonian lawyer Barrister Aken Inu Teo has controversially advocated for compulsory polygamy in Cameroon.
She argues that making it mandatory would reduce infidelity, prostitution, and the hypocrisy of monogamous marriages.
Some argue that polygamy is deeply rooted in African culture, while others believe it contributes to broken homes, emotional distress, and gender inequality. But is polygamy truly the answer to Africa’s marital struggles, or does it only complicate matters further?
Kathleen Ndongmo appearing on NewsCentral’s Jasiri explains that polygamy is already legal in Cameroon. She added that couples must declare whether they choose monogamy or polygamy at the onset of marriage. The broader discussions revolve around religion, tradition, and social impact. For instance, in the Northwest region, a chief reportedly has 100 wives. Meanwhile, some modern leaders, like a young Cameroonian sultan, have chosen monogamy despite tradition allowing polygamy.
Kathleen questioned why a woman proposed compulsory polygamy in a country where it’s already legal. Why aren’t men advocating for mandatory polyandry? Why does the proposed law favour men over women? She queried.
“You can’t make polygamy compulsory. You just can’t. That’s the conversation we’re having here. What I find interesting is that this proposal leaves all the choice in the hands of men. If you’re going to make polygamy compulsory, why are you not talking about polyandry as well? You’re not considering the other 50% of the population, and in some countries, women even make up the majority. This entire conversation is based on a power imbalance,” Kathleen added.
Sam argues that men struggle with monogamy due to biological and evolutionary factors. He references sexual dimorphism and primate mating behaviours, suggesting that men are wired to seek variety. Kathleen counters, stating that society has conditioned men to act this way while suppressing female agency. Women also desire variety but face stricter societal expectations.
Should “nature” justify male infidelity while women are expected to conform to social conditioning? Kathleen cites examples from the animal kingdom where females dominate mate selection. If science justifies male behavior, why doesn’t it empower women in the same way?
Kathleen further highlighted that Cameroon’s pressing issues are —political instability, economic struggles, and infrastructure problems. She questioned why compulsory polygamy is even a topic for discussion. The answer, she argues, lies in power dynamics aimed at keeping women in their place. And ironically, it was a woman who made this proposal.
