Burkina Faso Enacts Law Criminalizing Homosexuality

Burkina Faso Enacts Law Criminalizing Homosexuality
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Burkina Faso’s transitional government has passed a law banning homosexuality, with offenders facing two to five years in prison and fines, Al Jazeera reported. The legislation was unanimously approved by 71 unelected members of the military-led transitional government, which took power after two coups in 2022 under President Ibrahim Traore.

Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced the new law on national television, stating that foreign nationals found guilty would face deportation. The law is part of broader reforms on family and citizenship matters and is expected to be implemented immediately, accompanied by a public awareness campaign.

Burkina Faso joins several African countries, such as Mali, Ghana, and Uganda, in tightening laws against homosexuality, often drawing international condemnation. Uganda, notably, has imposed life sentences and capital punishment provisions for consensual same-sex relations.