Burkina Faso has joined the ranks of African countries criminalizing same-sex relations after its Transitional Legislative Assembly passed a law imposing heavy penalties on those convicted.
The law, which took effect on September 1, sets prison terms of two to five years for individuals found guilty of engaging in homosexual acts. Convicted offenders also face fines ranging from two million to ten million CFA francs, equivalent to about €3,000 to €15,000. Foreign nationals prosecuted under the law will be deported after serving their sentence.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala defended the legislation, describing same-sex relations as “bizarre behavior” that goes against Burkina Faso’s values and traditions. The measure, he said, was necessary to “protect family morality.”
Until now, same-sex relations were not criminalized in Burkina Faso, making the sudden reversal a sharp departure from the country’s previous legal stance. The decision has been met with condemnation from human rights organizations. Amnesty International called the criminalization a “dangerous step backward” that violates fundamental freedoms, urging the transitional authorities to reconsider.
“The law will not only expose people to harassment and imprisonment but will also legitimize discrimination and violence against LGBTQ individuals,” Amnesty said in a statement.
Burkina Faso’s move reflects a wider trend across parts of Africa, where governments have introduced or toughened laws targeting LGBTQ communities. Earlier this year, Ghana and Uganda advanced similar measures, drawing international criticism.
Analysts see the law as part of a populist strategy by the military-led transitional government to appeal to conservative segments of society and deflect attention from ongoing insecurity and economic hardship. Burkina Faso has been battling armed insurgencies that have displaced millions and strained state resources.
For LGBTQ people in Burkina Faso, the new law marks an abrupt turn from precarious acceptance to outright criminalization. Many fear arrest, harassment, or social ostracism, while foreign residents risk expulsion.
The debate now pits national sovereignty and cultural identity claims against universal human rights. With this law in force, Burkina Faso has signaled its willingness to side with conservative moral arguments, even as global pressure mounts for the protection of LGBTQ rights.
