Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – Burkina Faso’s military junta has taken a significant step towards outlawing homosexuality, adopting a draft amendment to the country’s family code that criminalizes same-sex relations.
This move places Burkina Faso in stark contrast to its previous position. Up until now, it was one of only 22 African nations out of 54 to allow homosexuality. In many other countries on the continent, same-sex relations are punishable by death or lengthy prison sentences.
The decision comes amidst a period of political upheaval in Burkina Faso. The West African nation has been under military rule since 2022 following two coups d’état. The current junta, led by interim leader Ibrahim Traore, is part of a regional confederation alongside neighboring Mali and Niger, both also ruled by military juntas.
All three interim governments have faced criticism for failing to hold elections and for distancing themselves from traditional Western allies.
On Wednesday, Burkina Faso’s junta announced the adoption of the amended family code during a weekly council of ministers meeting. “Homosexuality and related practices are now prohibited and punishable by law,” declared interim Justice Minister Edasso Rodrique Bayala in a statement released by the presidency.
However, the path to legal enforcement remains. The draft code must still be voted on by parliament and then officially promulgated by Traore before becoming law.
This development in Burkina Faso is part of a broader trend across Africa. Over the past year, several countries have seen a rise in legislation targeting LGBTQ rights. In May 2023, Uganda passed one of the world’s most stringent anti-LGBTQ laws, while Ghana’s parliament unanimously approved legislation in February that further restricts the rights of LGBTQ people.
This trend stands in contrast to the recent actions of Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroon’s president. Biya, who publicly came out as a lesbian last month, has called for the repeal of Cameroon’s laws criminalizing homosexuality.
