Burkina Faso’s Military Junta Criminalizes Homosexuality

In Burkina Faso, the military junta has outlawed homosexual activities.

Burkina Faso is the latest African country to disapprove of the activities of the LGBTQ community, despite strong opposition from the US and other Western powers.

“Henceforth, homosexuality and associated practices will be punished by the law,” Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue said, although he did not point out the exact penalty for engaging in same-sex activities.

Prior to the ban, homosexuality was frowned upon by citizens of the West African country, but it was never criminalized.

African countries have shown hostility towards the topic of homosexuality and other same-sex activities.

Related: Burkina Faso Military Extends Rule By Five Years

Only 21 African countries have not explicitly outlawed the activities of the LGBTQ community, but their citizens frown at it.

In a recent twist, Brenda Biya, the daughter of 91-year-old Cameroonian president Paul Biya, came out publicly as a lesbian via an Instagram post, which she says her parents have asked her to delete.

Brenda does not live in Cameroon, where same-sex practices were outlawed before her father became president in 1982, but she says she believes that there are several people like her who are ashamed of their sexuality.

“There are plenty of people in the same situation as me who suffer because of who they are,” Brenda said.

“If I can give them hope, help them feel less alone, if I can send love, I’m happy.”

Brenda also told French news outfit Le Parisien that President Biya was unaware of her sexuality and is not in support of it.