Burkina Faso has taken a harsh step against LGBTQ+ rights, passing a law that criminalizes homosexuality, punishable by two to five years in prison, according to the state broadcaster.
The law was unanimously approved on Monday by 71 unelected members of the country’s transitional government, which seized power following two military coups in 2022, under the leadership of President Ibrahim Traoré.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced the legislation on national broadcaster RTB, warning that offenders could also face fines—and that foreign nationals found guilty would face deportation.
“If a person is a perpetrator of homosexual or similar practices, all the bizarre behaviour, they will go before the judge,” Bayala said. The law is expected to take effect immediately.
Officials framed the legislation as part of broader reforms of family and citizenship laws, promising “awareness campaigns” to explain the new rules.
But human rights advocates warn that it marks a severe crackdown on personal freedoms, further limiting legal recourse and targeting vulnerable communities.
Since taking power, Burkina Faso’s military government has pledged to stabilize the country amid a worsening security crisis.
Yet critics accuse the regime of abusing its authority, citing mass arrests, forced military conscriptions, and now, a law that could criminalize love itself.
Burkina Faso joins a growing list of African nations enforcing anti-LGBTQ+ laws, where homosexuality is punishable by imprisonment—or in some countries, even death.
Neighboring Mali enacted similar legislation in November 2024, while Ghana and Uganda have intensified punishments, with Uganda imposing life sentences and a capital offence category for “aggravated homosexuality.”
For Burkina Faso’s LGBTQ+ community, this law is more than legislation—it is a stark threat to their existence, dignity, and safety.
