Burkina Faso’s military-led government has enacted a new law criminalising same-sex relations, joining a growing list of African countries that have strengthened legal prohibitions against homosexuality.
The law, adopted on 1 September by the transitional parliament of 71 unelected members, imposes prison terms of between two and five years, in addition to fines. Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced the measure on state-run media, describing it as part of broader reforms to the country’s family and citizenship legislation.
“The law provides prison sentences of between two and five years plus fines,” Mr Bayala stated. He added that persons suspected of engaging in homosexual or similar practices, as well as what he termed “all bizarre behaviour,” would face prosecution. According to him, foreign nationals convicted under the legislation would also be deported.
The move comes almost a year after the junta adopted a draft family code containing provisions against same-sex relations. Until now, Burkina Faso had been one of 22 African nations that did not criminalise homosexuality.
Neighbouring Mali, which is also under military rule, passed similar legislation last year, signalling a trend across Sahel countries towards stricter laws on same-sex relationships.
Nigeria has enforced comparable restrictions since 2014 through the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act, which prescribes up to 14 years’ imprisonment for homosexual unions and criminalises public displays of same-sex relationships.
Uganda introduced one of the continent’s most severe measures in 2024, designating “aggravated homosexuality” as a capital offence and prescribing life sentences for consensual same-sex acts. That law drew strong international reactions, with the World Bank suspending new loans to the government of President Yoweri Museveni, while the United States removed preferential trade access for Ugandan goods.
In Ghana, parliament passed legislation earlier this year imposing prison terms of up to three years for identifying as LGBTQ+. However, former President Nana Akufo-Addo declined to sign the bill, stating that he would await a ruling from the courts on its constitutionality.
Burkina Faso’s latest decision places it among African governments that cite the defence of traditional values as justification for new laws, even as international human rights organisations express concern over the growing criminalisation of same-sex relationships across the continent.
