The Ngwele Civil Status Centre in Bonaberi, Douala, was filled on December 12, 2015, during the celebration of the ninth mass marriages involving 65 couples. The couples, joined together by the Civil Status Officer, Ndafeut Robert, were advised to love and respect each other and above all, resort to dialogue as the best way of resolving misunderstanding.

Diane Mo’o-Nga, a representative of the Littoral Regional Delegate for Women’s Empowerment and the Family, said a successful marriage is built on love, trust, tolerance and perseverance. The Assistant Divisional Officer for Douala IV, Boukar Mallum, enjoined the couples to shun jealousy, lies-telling and egoistic attitudes.

Ndafeut Robert, who has married 659 couples since December 19, 2008, said it was his way of reducing and discouraging  “come we stay” unions. “Some people have been living as concubines for over 30 years. This is not good for them and their progenies, especially after the death of the man. Some shy away from legalising their marriages because of lack of finances. Others are ignorant while some care little about it. With this initiative, the number of people living as concubines in the Douala IV municipality has drastically reduced,” he explained.

The mass marriages are expected to foster family unity and pave the way for parents to recognise children born out of wedlock. Bernard Dougoare, 69, who has been living with 68-year-old Essebe Rachael for 25 years, expressed his joy saying, “It is better to be late than never.” The Civil Status Centre Officer also offered gifts to a set of twins born after the 2014 mass marriages.