A coalition of 25 African and diaspora faith leaders, academics and civic thinkers, has called on African governments to suspend moves to introduce additional criminal legislation concerning sexual orientation and gender identity.

The coalition also called for a continental pause on punitive legislation, arguing that queer Africans could become the first targets in what it described as a wider struggle involving women’s rights, democracy and African sovereignty.

Lead Executive of Interconnected Justice, Bishop Joseph Tolton, disclosed this during the virtual launch of the African Democratic Covenant, an initiative advocating what he described as an African-led approach to democracy, constitutionalism, human dignity and social justice.

Tolton said that the initiative was not an attempt by Africans in the diaspora to “help” the continent, but a call for Africans at home and abroad to work together in shaping Africa’s future.

The covenant urged African presidents to place a moratorium on proposed legislation that would impose additional criminal penalties, arguing that governments should, instead, provide room for public education, constitutional dialogue and broader consultation.

The coalition said its broader African Reconstruction agenda would focus on economic sovereignty, spiritual self-determination, constitutional pluralism and human dignity.

Speaking at the event, Rev. Canon Mpho Tutu van Furth called for the inclusion and protection of all members of African communities, while urging a renewed examination of African history and traditional understandings of gender and social diversity.

In her remarks, Prof. Sylvia Tamale questioned the argument that legislation supported by a majority is necessarily just, citing historical examples of apartheid and segregation.

She called for greater attention to indigenous African histories, political and economic factors influencing contemporary debates on gender and sexuality.

Also speaking at the event, Emerita Prof. Akosua Adomako Ampofo, urged journalists to avoid sensational reporting on the issue and, instead, examine the political arguments and implications of proposed legislation.

Speaking earlier, Florence Nyaoke of Kenya said political and religious leaders were, sometimes, presented with incomplete information about proposed laws, a situation she said could deepen polarisation and limit public discussion.

The coalition also announced plans for a Desmond Tutu Conference, described as a Black Global Freedom Gathering, where African and diaspora leaders are expected to discuss democracy, economic inequality, resource extraction and social justice.

The organisers said the broader campaign was aimed at encouraging debate over whether African democratic development and national sovereignty could advance while laws exclude or criminalise particular groups.

The intervention comes amid increasingly coordinated religious and political mobilisation around “family values” across parts of Africa.

The Covenant challenges the argument that criminalising LGBTQ people is necessary to defend Christianity, African culture or African sovereignty, while calling for wider public engagement on the legal, constitutional and social implications of such legislation.