Junta-run Burkina Faso has enacted a law criminalising homosexuality, imposing prison terms of up to five years and heavy fines. The law marks a stark shift, as homosexuality was not illegal in the country before the military seized power three years ago.
Seventy-one unelected members of the transitional parliament, installed after two 2022 coups, unanimously approved the controversial measure, officials confirmed. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala told state broadcaster RTB that perpetrators could face two to five years behind bars and financial penalties.
Bayala added that foreign nationals involved in homosexual acts would face deportation, and judges would handle cases of “bizarre behaviour.” Officials said the law is part of broader reforms targeting family and citizenship, promising an awareness campaign to publicise its provisions.
The legislation aligns Burkina Faso with regional allies such as Mali, which criminalised homosexuality in November 2024 under a military government. Other African nations, including Ghana and Uganda, have similarly tightened anti-LGBTQ laws despite widespread international criticism and human rights concerns.
Uganda’s legislation imposes life imprisonment for consensual same-sex acts and punishes “aggravated homosexuality” with the death penalty, drawing global outrage. Rights advocates warn the Burkina Faso law could exacerbate discrimination and violence against LGBTQ communities, creating a climate of fear and oppression.
The new legislation signals the junta’s firm stance on social norms, reflecting a regional trend of rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment in West Africa. International observers say the move may strain diplomatic relations and complicate aid partnerships, given growing global scrutiny of human rights practices.
Despite the controversy, officials insist the law reflects societal values, framing it as a protection of traditional family structures and public morality. The law is expected to take effect immediately, with authorities promising vigorous enforcement across urban and rural regions of the country.