In a recent alarming development, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has expressed severe anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. During a public event, he proposed that gay individuals in Burundi should be gathered and subjected to stoning in a stadium. This statement reflects an increasing wave of anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes among government officials across sub-Saharan Africa.
A Growing Regional Concern
Ndayishimiye’s remarks, while not legally binding, are symptomatic of a broader regional trend. Many African leaders, notably in Uganda and Kenya, have accused Western nations of imposing gay rights in exchange for aid. This perspective has led to stringent laws and actions against the LGBTQ+ community in these countries.
Echoes of Uganda’s “Kill the Gays” Law
The situation in Burundi echoes Uganda’s recent enactment of the “Kill the Gays” law, which imposes the death penalty for certain same-sex acts. Similar legislative moves are being observed in Kenya, further escalating concerns for the LGBTQ+ community in the region. This series of events underscores the challenging environment faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in parts of Africa, amidst increasing governmental hostility.