Burkina Faso Criminalizes Homosexuality with New Law

Ouagadougou, Sep 2 (AP) — In a move that further aligns Burkina Faso with numerous other African nations, the country's parliament has enacted a law prohibiting homosexuality, with violators facing prison sentences ranging from two to five years, as reported by the state broadcaster on Monday.

The amendment to the family code, passed unanimously by parliament, takes immediate effect, over a year after receiving approval from the military government led by Capt. Ibrahim Traore. This places Burkina Faso among more than half of Africa's 54 countries that have laws against homosexuality, with penalties varying from incarceration to the death penalty. These laws, while drawing criticism from external entities, maintain significant support domestically, where homosexuality is often seen as a foreign import rather than a legitimate sexual orientation.

Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, speaking during a state television broadcast, detailed that the law imposes penalties not only involving imprisonment but also fines for individuals in same-sex relationships. He labeled homosexual acts as “bizarre behavior” and emphasized the new law's role in upholding “marriage and family values” inherent to Burkina Faso. “You will go before the judge,” Bayala cautioned potential offenders.

The country has been under military rule since a 2022 coup intended to stabilize an increasingly insecure environment and improve governance. This political shift has been met with criticism from rights organizations, which accuse the junta of suppressing human rights and conscripting critics into military service.

Leading since the second coup in 2022, junta leader Traore has embraced a pan-African stance, advocating for autonomy from Western influences, a message that resonates particularly with Africa's youthful population. (AP)

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