OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso (BN24) — Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a law banning homosexuality, imposing prison sentences of up to five years on offenders. The legislation, passed unanimously on Monday by the 71-member unelected parliament, also tightens rules on nationality and stateless persons.
The new Persons and Family Code law marks Burkina Faso as the latest African nation to criminalize lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) activities, joining a number of conservative countries across the continent that maintain strict anti-LGBTQ laws.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, speaking on state television, said the law provides prison terms ranging from two to five years along with fines. He added that those convicted of repeat offenses who are not Burkinabe nationals could face deportation.
“The law goes into effect immediately,” Bayala said, condemning homosexual acts as “bizarre behaviour.”
Burkina Faso’s military junta, led by Ibrahim Traore following a 2022 coup, has shown increasing intolerance toward dissent and minority rights amid escalating Islamist militant violence in the West African nation.
Anti-gay laws remain widespread in several African countries including Senegal, Uganda, and Malawi. However, some countries such as South Africa, Botswana, and Angola have decriminalized LGBTQ practices or enacted protective legislation.
While Western governments and human rights groups have criticized such laws, they continue to enjoy broad support within many African societies where homosexuality is often viewed as foreign to local cultures rather than an inherent sexual orientation.
The legislation now awaits the signature of military leader Ibrahim Traore to become law.
