Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso- Burkina Faso’s unelected transitional parliament has unanimously approved a bill that criminalizes homosexual acts, a move that aligns the country with a growing number of African nations taking a tougher stance on same-sex relationships.
The legislation now awaits the final approval and signature of the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in 2022.
This move marks a significant policy change for Burkina Faso, which previously was one of the few African nations that did not criminalize same-sex relations.
This new law imposes severe penalties, including prison sentences of up to five years and fines. Additionally, any foreign nationals found guilty of violating the law could face deportation.
According to Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, the new law provides for a prison sentence of between two and five years.
The addition of deportation for foreigners caught breaking the law highlights the strict nature of the new legal framework.
This development places Burkina Faso among a growing number of African countries that have recently enacted or toughened anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Context of Political Change
This legislative action occurs under the rule of Captain Traoré, who took control of the government after ousting his predecessor, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba.
The new law reflects a broader trend of social and political shifts in the country, aligning its legal code with the conservative and religious views prevalent in the nation.
