The unleashed transition parliament of Burkina Faso approved a bill that prohibits homosexual acts, just over a year after the cabinet adopted a draft of an amended family code that criminalized homosexuality.
The measure, approved unanimously on Monday, presents prison sentences of up to five years and is part of a broader repression of same -sex relationships throughout the continent.
The Minister of Justice, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, announced in the state media that “the law provides for a prison sentence between two and five years, as well as fines.”
He added that the foreign citizens declared guilty would also face deportation.
According to the BBC, the bill now expects the signing of the country’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who seized power in 2022 after depositing Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba.
Until now, Burkina Faso was between 22 of 54 African nations that allowed same -sex relationships, in contrast to other states where such acts can attract life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
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Unlike many old British colonies in Africa, the country did not inherit the laws of anti-homosexuality after obtaining the independence of France in 1960.
In spite of that, Burkina Faso remains a socially conservative and religious nation, with less than 10% of its people who thought not to follow any faith. The new law reflects an increasing trend of anti-LGBT legislation in Africa.
The neighbor Mali, also under the military government and considered a close ally, adopted similar legislation last year.
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