Burkina Faso’s transitional government has enacted a controversial law criminalizing homosexuality, marking a significant shift in the country’s legal stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Previously not outlawed, same-sex relations are now punishable by two to five years in prison and fines, following the unanimous approval of the draft legislation by 71 unelected members of the transitional parliament. This body was established after two military coups in 2022, and the law forms part of a broader reform of family and citizenship codes. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced the new measures on national broadcaster RTB, stating that individuals engaging in “homosexual or similar practices” would face judicial proceedings, and foreign nationals found in violation would be deported.
The law is set to be promoted through a national awareness campaign, signaling the government’s intent to embed the legislation into public consciousness. Burkina Faso joins a growing list of African nations tightening restrictions on LGBTQ+ communities. Mali, a close ally also governed by a military junta, passed similar legislation in November 2024. Ghana and Uganda have likewise intensified their anti-homosexuality laws in recent years, despite facing widespread international condemnation. Uganda’s legislation includes provisions for “aggravated homosexuality” as a capital offense and imposes life imprisonment for consensual same-sex relations, drawing particular scrutiny from human rights organizations.
These developments reflect a broader regional trend toward legal repression of LGBTQ+ identities, raising concerns about civil liberties and the protection of minority rights across West and Central Africa. The passage of such laws under transitional or military-led governments has prompted debate over democratic accountability and the role of unelected bodies in shaping long-term social policy.