This just in… according to reports by AP News, Burkina Faso’s parliament has passed a new law criminalizing homosexuality. Offenders now face 2 to 5 years in prison plus fines.
📅 The legislation took effect on September 2, 2025, following a unanimous vote under the military-led government.
This marks a major shift, as same-sex relationships were previously legal in the country.
The law was passed under the military government of Capt. Ibrahim Traoré, which seized power amid rising militant violence in 2022.
⚖️ The legislation takes immediate effect and forms part of a broader overhaul of family and citizenship laws, which officials say will be promoted through awareness campaigns.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala condemned same-sex relations as “bizarre behavior,” describing the law as a reaffirmation of “marriage and family values” in Burkina Faso.
The law imposes a prison sentence of 2 to 5 years, along with monetary fines; foreign nationals convicted may also face deportation, while repeat offenders risk heightened enforcement.
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