By Amadou Keita
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso’s unelected transitional parliament has unanimously passed a bill outlawing homosexual acts, introducing prison sentences of up to five years and fines. The move, voted through on Monday, marks a significant shift for the West African nation and aligns with a growing crackdown on same-sex relationships across the continent.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced on state-run media, “the law provides for a prison sentence of between two and five years as well as fines.” He further added that foreign nationals found breaking the law would face deportation.
The legislation now awaits the signature of the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, to become law, according to Reuters news agency. Capt. Traoré seized power in 2022, overthrowing another military ruler, Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Damiba.
Historically, Burkina Faso stood out among African nations. After gaining independence from France in 1960, it did not inherit anti-homosexuality laws, unlike many of Britain’s former colonies on the continent. Prior to this vote, it was among just 22 of 54 African countries where same-sex relations were not criminalized, with some states imposing death penalties or lengthy prison terms.
The country is deeply socially conservative and religious, with less than 10% of its population identifying as non-religious.
Burkina Faso’s new law reflects an increasing trend across Africa to toughen stances against LGBT relationships. Last year, neighboring Mali, an ally of Burkina Faso and also ruled by a junta, adopted legislation criminalizing homosexuality.
This continental shift has drawn significant international criticism. The World Bank, for instance, previously halted loans to Uganda due to its stringent anti-LGBT stance, though that ban has since been lifted.
Other nations on the continent have also enacted laws banning homosexuality, including Nigeria. Ghana’s parliament passed an anti-homosexuality bill last year, but it was not signed into law by the then-president. Uganda has adopted some of the toughest provisions, making what it describes as “aggravated homosexuality” a capital offense and imposing life sentences for consensual same-sex relations.
