Swaziland<\/strong><\/a>, Africa\u2019s last absolute monarchy, could soon be the first African country to outlaw divorce, following a recent decree by King Mswati III<\/strong> discouraging divorce.<\/p>\n T<\/span>he King issued the order at an Easter celebrations rally that was attended by Christian religious leaders at the Engabezweni Royal Residence<\/strong>, according to Quartz<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn our culture, once you marry, there is no turning back,\u201d King Mswati declared.<\/p>\n He also ordered the clergymen present to inform their followers that marriage should be for life, adding that there is no word for \u201cdivorce\u201d in Siswati, the official language of Swaziland.<\/p>\n Unlawful Decree<\/strong><\/p>\n Princess Fikisiwe Dlamini of Swaziland marries Khulubuse Zuma of South Africa on October 19, 2013, in Ludzudzini, Swaziland. Photo credit: Khaya Ngwenya\/Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Legal experts and government officials in Swaziland have come out to dispute claims that divorce has been outlawed in the country, arguing that the King\u2019s decree is unlawful since he has not officially tabled it in parliament for debate.<\/p>\n Although divorce is not allowed in Swaziland\u2019s law, a process called \u201cKumbuyisela ekhaya,\u201d which means reuniting a married woman with her family, is very common.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no law banning divorce in Swaziland. When the King meets people, he usually talks about issues of national interest for families especially, and for the strengthening of Swazi culture,\u201d Swazi government spokesperson Sabelo Dlamini<\/strong>\u00a0said, according to\u00a0News24<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dlamini insisted that Mswati\u2019s directive was meant to remind Christians in the country that marriage is a covenant with God, pointing out that it is wrong for couples to break agreements made with their maker.<\/p>\n The King\u2019s directive comes at a time when Swaziland\u2019s attorney general is drafting a new marriage bill that seeks to allow divorce on certain grounds.<\/p>\n Insult to Women<\/strong><\/p>\n Women of Swaziland<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In Swaziland, polygamy is very common and men are at liberty to marry as many wives as they wish.<\/p>\n The King himself has at least 15 wives and is allowed to acquire a new one every year during the annual eight-day national festival known as the \u201cReed Dance<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n Women are often considered the property of their husbands, and domestic violence, especially against women, is reportedly widespread<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Until recently, Swazi women were not allowed to own property, and the few that were permitted to do so had to produce the names of their husbands during registration.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Princess](\"https:\/\/face2faceafrica.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/wedding.jpg\")
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