Burkina Faso’s military junta has approved a draft amendment to the family code that criminalizes homosexuality.
Burkina Faso, previously one of 22 African countries allowing same-sex relations, will now join nations where such relations are punishable by death or lengthy prison terms.
The country has been under military rule since two coups in 2022 and is part of a confederation with military governments in Mali and Niger. All three interim governments have not held elections and have distanced themselves from Western allies.
In a statement on Wednesday, the junta announced the adoption of the amended family code draft during a weekly council of ministers meeting led by interim military leader Ibrahim Traore. Interim Justice Minister Edasso Rodrique Bayala stated, “From now on, homosexuality and related practices are prohibited and punishable by law.”
For the law to take effect, it must pass a parliamentary vote and be promulgated by Traore.
Over the past 14 months, LGBTQ rights have faced increasing repression in Africa. Uganda enacted one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ laws in May last year, and Ghana intensified its anti-LGBTQ legislation in February.
Last month, Brenda Biya, the daughter of Cameroon’s president, came out as a lesbian and has since advocated for the repeal of anti-homosexuality laws in her country.
