As part of a broader crackdown, Burkina Faso’s military junta has banned homosexual acts.
The Ban: A Synopsis
A change in Burkina Faso’s attitude toward same-sex interactions has occurred with the military junta’s prohibition of homosexual behavior. Even though it was socially unacceptable, the conservative West African nation did not outright ban homosexuality in the past. With this decision, Burkina Faso joins a number of other African countries that have taken a harder line on the LGBTQ minority despite vocal protest from the West.
Changes in the Law
Unveiling particular details, Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala declared that the junta’s cabinet had passed the legislation. Parliament, which is controlled by the military, and junta head Ibrahim Traoré’s signature are still necessary for the measure to be approved. As a result of this law, Burkina Faso will no longer recognize civil weddings but will instead recognize only religious and customary unions. According to Bayala, “henceforth homosexuality and associated practices will be punished by the law.”
The Political and Historical Setting
Following its 2022 coup d’état, Burkina Faso’s political allegiances changed dramatically. Since the coup, Burkina Faso has shifted its allegiance to Russia from France, the previous colonial power. Despite decriminalizing gay conduct in 1993, Russia has been using harsh measures against the LGBTQ population, including legislation against what it labels “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.” This realignment occurs at the same time as these policies.
Cultural and Regional Views
The majority of Burkinabe people are Muslims (64%), followed by Christians (26%), and those who practice traditional religions or do not have faith make up the other 10%. Following a trend observed in other African nations, the country has decided to ban same-sex partnerships. One example is the new anti-gay legislation in Uganda, which the country’s Constitutional Court has affirmed and which permits the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality.” This covers cases where a person has a chronic disease, such as HIV, or is a minor.
Larger-Scale Effects and Responses
There have been major reactions on a global scale to the passage of such legislation. In the wake of Uganda’s anti-gay law’s passage, the country’s banks cut off funding, and the US stopped providing preferential market access to Ugandan goods. In an effort to combat Western influence and maintain traditional family values, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda defended the regulations.
Brenda Biya’s recent public appearances have elicited a range of opinions in Cameroon. Her outing as a lesbian brought attention to the social and legal challenges that Africa’s LGBTQ minority faces on a daily basis. Since her father took power in 1982, same-sex relationships have been outlawed in Cameroon.
Affordability Issues
Countries that pass anti-LGBTQ legislation are quite worried about the economic fallout. Possible fiscal consequences may befall Ghana as a result of its recent passage of a strict new law criminalizing LGBTQ+ identifying. While waiting for a judicial decision on the bill’s constitutionality, President Nana Akufo-Addo has postponed signing it into law. In the wake of the country’s recent economic crisis and reliance on an IMF bailout, the finance ministry has issued a warning that the law’s enforcement could result in the loss of $3.8 billion in World Bank assistance over the next five to six years.
In summary
The tendency toward criminalizing homosexual conduct in Burkina Faso is reflective of a complex interaction of cultural, religious, and political elements; it is part of a larger trend throughout Africa. Laws like this affect global relations and economic stability in ways that go much beyond any one country’s borders. As Burkina Faso and other nations deal with these developments, the international community keeps a careful eye on them, trying to find a middle ground between recognizing sovereign decisions and fighting for human rights.
