Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso Junta Passes Anti-Homosexuality Law Amidst Criticism

In a recent move, Burkina Faso’s junta, led by Captain Ibrahim Traore, has enacted a law criminalizing homosexuality, following Traore’s meeting with the Russian president in Moscow. The law, unanimously passed by the transitional parliament, imposes prison sentences of up to five years and fines for those found engaging in homosexual acts, with foreign nationals facing deportation. This legislation is part of a broader family and citizenship reform and will be accompanied by an awareness campaign, mirroring similar actions taken by neighboring countries like Mali, and reflecting a broader trend of tightening anti-LGBTQ+ laws across the African continent.

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Massacre in Burkina Faso left 600 dead, double previous estimates, according to French security assessment

As I read about the recent massacre in Burkina Faso that left 600 people dead, my heart sank. The sheer brutality and senseless violence inflicted upon innocent men, women, and children is truly horrifying. The militants from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) showed no mercy as they methodically shot down villagers in Barsalogho. Many of the victims were women and children, and the videos posted on social media capture the chaos and terror of that fateful day.

The fact that the death toll was initially underestimated and has now been doubled to 600 is a grim reminder of the magnitude of this tragedy.… Continue reading