The military junta in Burkina Faso has recently announced a ban on homosexual acts, becoming the latest African state to crack down on same-sex relations despite opposition from Western powers. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala stated that the cabinet had approved legislation making homosexual acts punishable, signaling a drastic shift in the country’s stance on LGBTQ rights. This decision comes as the military regime, which seized power in 2022, has distanced itself from former colonial power France and aligned more closely with Russia.
The move to outlaw homosexual relations forms part of an overhaul of Burkina Faso’s marriage laws, with the new legislation only recognizing religious and customary marriages. This shift reflects a broader trend in Africa, with countries like Uganda and Ghana also taking a tougher stance against the LGBTQ community in recent years, despite criticism from local rights groups and Western nations.
The daughter of Cameroon’s president recently came out as a lesbian, sparking mixed reactions and reigniting conversations about LGBTQ rights in the country. These developments underscore the complexities and challenges facing LGBTQ individuals in African societies today.