Burkina Faso’s ruling junta on Monday unanimously passed a law criminalising homosexuality, making same-sex relations punishable by prison sentences of up to five years.
According to a report by Africa News, the legislation, which forms part of a wider reform of family and citizenship laws, was adopted by 71 unelected members of the transitional parliament, in place since two coups in 2022.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, announcing the law, said: “The law provides for a prison sentence of between two and five years as well as fines.” He added that foreign nationals convicted under the law would be deported.
According to Bayala, the legislation also covers what the junta describes as “bizarre behaviour,” with offenders expected to face trial. Officials noted that the law will be publicised nationwide through awareness campaigns.
Until now, Burkina Faso was among 22 of Africa’s 54 countries where same-sex relations were not criminalised.
The move aligns the Sahel nation with a growing trend across the continent, where governments are tightening anti-homosexuality measures despite global criticism.
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In November 2024, neighbouring Mali, also ruled by a junta, adopted a similar law criminalising homosexuality. Ghana and Uganda have also toughened their stance in recent years.
Uganda’s 2024 law, considered one of the harshest in the world, introduced the death penalty for what it termed “aggravated homosexuality” and life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations.
International organisations, including the World Bank and the United States government, have imposed sanctions on Uganda over its law, while Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill remains under legal review after being passed by parliament earlier this year.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
