The Dialectics of Gender, Sexuality and Being: A Philosophical Analysis of the Ontological Disjunction Within Ibuanyidanda and the Logical Rationale for an Inclusive Policy for Lgbtqia+ Individuals in Africa

In this essay, I explore the ontological disjunction inherent in Asouzu's philosophical framework ibuanyidanda -'a philosophy of complementarity', which he uses to describe 'interconnectedness' as an essential nature within African ontology.I also examine the bitter sorrows experienced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in Africa, which have led me to raise doubts and subject African complementary ontology (and ibuanyidanda) into a critical inquiry.For several years, African philosophers have argued that African ontology is complementary, holistic, communitarian and that all realities are interconnected, which contrasts with the Western ontological conception which emphasizes individualism.While the core tenet of ibuanyidanda revolves around social cohesion and collective well-being, I argue that when evaluated within the lived experiences of the people in Africa, its limitations are paradoxically unravelled through its failure to factor-in cohesion and complementarity amongst LGBTQIA+ individuals.I use the transcendental method to examine the fundamental conditions underlying African ontology and the preconditions necessary for imbalance (disconnection) between being -specifically, the being of humans, their diverse gender identities and sexual orientations.The critical method is also employed to challenge and re-examine existing gender structures and sexual orientations in African societies to determine whether African ontology truly promotes complementarity, interconnectedness and cohesiveness.Lastly, I apply the phenomenological method to exclude biases and prejudices stemming from religion, culture and ethnicity in order to engage with the complexities of LGBTQIA+ identities and facilitate transformative thinking that not only acknowledges the diversity of identities and sexual orientations, but also work actively to dismantle the socio-cultural barriers hindering equality and justice for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Africa.I argue that emphasizing an ontological unity (U) while neglecting meaningful engagement with identity politics (P) to foster inclusivity (I) results in an ontological disjunction (D).This disjunction is exclusive (E), not inclusive (I), and undermines communal harmony (H).Where: U = Ontological unity of beings, P = Meaningful engagement with identity politics, I = Inclusivity, D = Ontological disjunction, E = Exclusive disjunction and H = Communal harmony.An ontological disjunction, in the exclusive sense of the disjunction occurs where there is a fundamental separation or conflict in the nature of being or existence, particularly in how different identities relate to each other, marring the interconnectedness that is supposed to exist within such complementary and inclusive ontological framework.In this study, I call for a transformative thinking that not only acknowledges the complexity, diversity and richness of different identities, but works actively to dismantle the socio-cultural biases hindering recognition, equality and justice for LGBTQIA+ in Africa.