Burkina Faso moves towards criminalising homosexuality

Burkina Faso’s military junta has declared a ban on homosexual acts, joining other African states in cracking down on same-sex relations despite significant opposition from Western powers. Although homosexuality was disapproved of in the socially conservative West African nation, it was never made illegal.

According to ‘BBC’, Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala revealed that the junta’s cabinet has approved a law to criminalise homosexual acts, without providing additional details. The military took control in Burkina Faso in 2022 and has since shifted its alliances towards Russia, significantly reducing its ties with former colonial power, France.

Although homosexual acts were decriminalised in Russia in 1993, President Vladimir Putin’s administration has increasingly targeted the LGBTQ+ community, including banning what it terms “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.”

Burkina Faso’s decision to criminalise homosexual relations comes as part of a broader revision of its marriage laws. The new legislation, which still requires approval from the military-controlled parliament and the signature of junta leader Ibrahim Traoré, recognises only religious and customary marriages.

Image Credit: Canva

“From now on, homosexuality and related practices will be prosecuted by the law,” Justice Minister Bayala stated, as reported by AFP news agency.

Captain Traoré came to power in September 2022 after overthrowing Lt Col Paul-Henri Damiba, criticizing him for failing to address an Islamist insurgency that has plagued Burkina Faso since 2015.

Burkina Faso was one of the 22 African nations out of 54 where same-sex relations were not criminalised. Unlike many former British colonies, Burkina Faso did not inherit anti-homosexuality laws after gaining independence from France in 1960.

The population of Burkina Faso consists of approximately 64% Muslims, 26% Christians, and 10% who follow traditional religions or are non-religious.

Recently, several African states have taken stricter measures against the LGBTQ+ community. Uganda is among those that have recently passed laws to further curb LGBTQ+ rights, despite strong opposition from local human rights groups and Western countries.

In May, Uganda’s Constitutional Court upheld a severe new anti-gay law, which includes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” encompassing acts such as gay sex with minors or when one party is infected with a lifelong illness like HIV. Activists have indicated their intention to appeal the ruling.

Following the adoption of this legislation last year, the World Bank paused new loans to President Yoweri Museveni's government, and the US has halted preferential access to its markets for Ugandan goods. Museveni defended the legislation as a measure to preserve traditional family values and asserted that Uganda would not be swayed by Western influences.

Brenda Biya, daughter of Cameroon’s president, received mixed reactions after coming out as a lesbian last week. Living abroad, she expressed hope that her revelation would contribute to changing Cameroon’s laws against same-sex relations. Cameroon has been strictly governed by her father, Paul Biya, since 1982.

In Ghana, the parliament passed a rigorous new bill in February that imposes a prison sentence of up to three years for anyone convicted of identifying as LGBTQ+. However, President Nana Akufo-Addo has yet to sign it into law, stating he will wait for the courts to assess its constitutionality. The finance ministry warned that the enactment of the bill could result in a loss of $3.8 billion (£3 billion) in World Bank funding over the next five to six years. Ghana, which is experiencing a severe economic crisis, received a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) last year.

Read related myGwork articles here:

In Burkina Faso, Trans People Self-Medicate In “Dangerous” Transition

Namibia makes history by decriminalising homosexuality

Kenya Delays Decision on Decriminalising Homosexuality