Burkina Faso Drafts New Family Law Criminalizing Homosexuality

Burkina Faso has drafted a new law to punish citizens identified as LGBTQ. “From now on, homosexuality and related practices are prohibited and punishable by law,” announced Edasso Rodrique Bayala, the interim Justice Minister.

The amendment to the family code in the West African country was discussed during a cabinet council chaired by Military Junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traore. The draft bill must pass through parliament and, if adopted, will be promulgated into law by President Traore, who leads the transitional council after two successive coups.

Previously, Burkina Faso was one of 22 African nations out of 54 that allowed same-sex relations. In contrast, countries like Uganda impose long prison sentences and, in some cases, the death penalty for same-sex relations.

Under the newly amended family code in Burkina Faso, customary and religious marriages will be recognized. “There are conditions under which these marriages will be transcribed into the civil register, and from now on they will have the same effects and the same consequences as civil marriages currently celebrated at the civil status level,” added the interim justice minister.

Most African countries view LGBTQ as a Western culture that should not be accepted, causing tension between the West and African nations. The United States cut aid to Uganda for criminalizing gays.

In Cameroon, the President’s daughter, Brenda Biya, faces online backlash after video images allegedly showing her in a relationship with a Brazilian woman circulated. Homosexuality and lesbianism remain punishable by law in Cameroon.

Mimi Mefo Info