Burkina Faso passes law criminalizing homosexuality with prison terms

Burkina Faso has recently enacted a new law that criminalizes homosexuality, aligning the country with over 30 other African nations that impose similar prohibitions. This legislation, which was approved by the parliament following an unanimous vote, outlines penalties that include imprisonment ranging from two to five years and imposing fines on individuals engaging in homosexual acts. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala highlighted the urgency of this legislation, asserting that it reflects the nation’s commitment to traditional marriage and family values. As the military junta, which came to power in 2022 due to a coup, continues to govern the landlocked nation, such laws resonate with a populace that views homosexuality as a foreign import, disconnected from their cultural values. The law applies equally to foreign nationals, who risk deportation if convicted, illustrating the junta's broader efforts to curb behaviors deemed inconsistent with national values. The government has justified these measures under the premise of enhancing social order and reinforcing the notion of family as defined by their cultural context. Since the military coup, there has been a noticeable trend in Burkina Faso of implementing tighter restrictions on personal freedoms, with rights groups voicing concerns regarding human rights abuses under the junta's leadership. Globally, there are approximately 65 countries that criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activities, with a significant number of these states situated in Africa. The recent legislation in Burkina Faso has sparked discussions about the increasing trend of such laws across the continent, and there is a growing fear among LGBTQ+ advocates that these measures will lead to further ostracism and violence against those with non-heteronormative identities. As an ally of neighboring Mali, which has instituted similar laws, Burkina Faso’s new policy can be seen as part of a regional pattern where anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments grow stronger amid political instability and military governance. The passage of this law aligns with complaints from local officials who argue that homosexuality undermines their cultural integrity and is contrary to their perceptions of morality. Public figures, including Bayala, characterize homosexual acts as “bizarre behavior,” and the junta's ideological framework positions this new law as an essential protective measure for Burkinabe society. While foreign observers may criticize such laws as human rights violations, in Burkina Faso, these policies are framed as a reaffirmation of local values and are met with popular approval. The ruling military junta’s narrative also plays on an anti-colonial sentiment that resonates with many citizens, presenting the laws as an act of sovereignty and cultural preservation against perceived Western influence.