Burkina Faso Passes Law Criminalising Homosexuality, Becomes Latest African Country to Do So

Burkina Faso’s transitional parliament has passed a new law criminalising homosexuality, making the West African nation the latest on the continent to introduce such legislation.

The law, passed unanimously by the 71-member transitional parliament on Monday, imposes a prison sentence of two to five years and a fine for individuals found guilty of engaging in same-sex relationships. Repeat offenders who are not Burkinabe citizens may also face deportation, according to the country’s Justice Minister, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, who announced the development on state television.

The law is part of a broader bill titled the Persons and Family Code, which also includes stricter provisions on nationality and the rights of stateless individuals.

Speaking during the announcement, the justice minister described homosexual acts as “bizarre behaviour” and said the law takes immediate effect.

The legislation awaits formal signing by Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of the military junta that took power in a 2022 coup. Since then, the government has come under increasing scrutiny for limiting dissent amid ongoing conflict with Islamist militant groups.

Burkina Faso now joins a number of African countries that criminalise same-sex relationships, including Uganda, Senegal, and Malawi. However, some nations such as South Africa, Angola, and Botswana have moved in the opposite direction, either decriminalising homosexuality or strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.

While such laws have drawn criticism from international human rights groups and Western governments, they often enjoy strong domestic support. In many countries, homosexuality is widely regarded by both officials and citizens as a foreign influence, rather than a matter of identity or orientation.

Burkina Faso remains under military rule, with no timeline yet announced for a return to civilian governance.