Burkina Faso has enacted a new law that criminalises homosexuality, marking a stark shift in the country’s approach to same‑sex relations. The transitional legislative assembly unanimously approved the measure, which imposes prison sentences of two to five years and fines on individuals convicted of same‑sex activity. Foreign nationals found guilty will be expelled from the country.
The law is part of a broader reform of the “Code of Persons and Families,” which seeks to reshape family and nationality rules. The revised code also tightens requirements for acquiring Burkinabè nationality through marriage and grants legal recognition to religious and customary unions. The legislation is expected to be signed by junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who has pursued a sovereigntist line and rejected Western “values.”
Until now, Burkina Faso had no specific statutes targeting homosexuals, although the LGBT+ community has long been forced to live discreetly. The new law builds on an increasingly hardline stance, following a ban in August 2023 on television stations that broadcast content deemed to promote homosexuality. Neighboring Mali, also ruled by a military junta, adopted a similar law in November 2024. With this move, Burkina Faso joins more than 30 African nations where same‑sex relations are illegal. In some countries—such as Tanzania, Zambia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia—penalties can extend to life imprisonment; Nigeria, Kenya and Malawi impose sentences of up to 14 years, while Uganda’s recent Anti‑Homosexuality Act has drawn international condemnation for its harsh penalties.
International advocacy group ILGA World has warned that such crackdowns risk entrenching discrimination and undermining basic human rights. Although many regions have made progress toward de‑criminalisation, campaigners describe the trend in parts of Africa as a “troubling regression.” Around a third of countries worldwide continue to prohibit same‑sex relations, with some laws even carrying the death penalty.
Authorities say the new law will be rolled out through a public‑awareness campaign. Its implementation has significant implications for Burkina Faso’s LGBT+ community and highlights a growing trend of tightening anti‑LGBT legislation across Africa. As the international community continues to advocate for human rights and de‑criminalisation, the situation in Burkina Faso and other African nations remains a pressing concern.
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