Men ordered to have multiple wives

The Eritrean Government has reportedly ordered men to have multiple wives or risk being sent to prison for life. They have been urged to marry at least two wives due to an acute shortage of men caused by casualties during the civil war with Ethiopia. A report on the News24 site notes that the Department of Religious Affairs said the decision was ‘based on the law of God in polygamy, and given the circumstances which the country is experiencing in terms of men shortage’. The government agreed to pay for the marriage ceremonies and homes for the men taking on a second wife, the statement said. At least 150 000 Eritrean soldiers were killed during the secession war from Ethiopia which took place between 1998 and 2000, the report states.