- Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a law criminalizing homosexual acts, imposing prison sentences of two to five years and fines.
- The legislation, part of a broader family code reform, also mandates deportation for foreign nationals convicted under the law. The bill now awaits the signature of military leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré.
- The move aligns Burkina Faso with a growing number of African nations enforcing stricter anti-LGBT laws, including Mali, Nigeria, and Uganda. Rights groups have condemned the trend as a setback for human rights.
Burkina Faso has taken a sharp turn in its legal stance on same-sex relationships, with its unelected transitional parliament unanimously passing a bill that criminalizes homosexual acts.
The new law, introduced as part of a broader reform of the country’s family code, imposes prison sentences ranging from two to five years, along with financial penalties. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced that foreign nationals found guilty under the law would also face deportation.
The legislation now awaits the signature of Capt Ibrahim Traoré, the military leader who seized power in 2022 after ousting Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba. If signed, Burkina Faso will join over 30 African nations where same-sex relations are outlawed — a stark shift for a country that previously stood among the minority allowing such relationships.
Unlike many former British colonies, Burkina Faso did not inherit anti-homosexuality laws upon gaining independence from France in 1960. But the country remains deeply religious and socially conservative, with fewer than 10% of the population identifying as non-religious.
The move mirrors a growing regional crackdown. Mali, a close ally also under military rule, passed similar legislation last year. Uganda’s controversial law introduced capital punishment for what it terms “aggravated homosexuality,” while Ghana’s parliament passed an anti-LGBT bill that remains unsigned.
International backlash has followed these developments. The World Bank temporarily suspended loans to Uganda over its anti-LGBT legislation, though the ban was later lifted. Human rights groups warn that such laws entrench discrimination and threaten basic freedoms.
Burkina Faso’s new law is expected to be rolled out alongside a public awareness campaign, signaling the junta’s intent to reshape social norms under its rule. As the continent grapples with competing visions of modernity and tradition, the rights of LGBT communities remain at the center of a contentious legal and cultural battle.
