Burkina Faso’s parliament has enacted a law prohibiting homosexuality, with offenders subject to imprisonment for a period ranging from two to five years, as reported by the nation’s state broadcaster earlier this week.
The revised family code, approved unanimously by parliament, comes into effect over a year after its initial approval by the military government under Captain Ibrahim Traore. This development follows earlier reports that Burkina Faso joins the ranks of more than half of Africa’s 54 nations that have enacted laws prohibiting homosexuality, some with penalties extending up to and including the death penalty.
The law comes into immediate effect, with individuals in same-sex relationships facing both imprisonment and fines. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, during a state TV broadcast, referred to homosexual acts as “bizarre behavior.”
According to reliable sources, officials have hailed the law as a testament to the “marriage and family values” of Burkina Faso. The Justice Minister warned potential offenders, “You will go before the judge.”
It’s important to note that Burkina Faso has been governed by the military since a coup in 2022, which the junta justified as a move to stabilize the country amidst a worsening security crisis. However, human rights groups have accused the junta of violating human rights via widespread arrest and military conscription of critics.
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Reports indicate that Captain Traore, who came to power in September 2022 following the country’s second coup that year, has projected himself as a pan-African leader advocating independence from Western influence, a stance that often resonates with Africa’s youthful populace.
This raises important questions about the continued global struggle for human rights, particularly for marginalized communities.