The decision to ban homosexuality was made last Wednesday during a cabinet meeting attended by interim President Ibrahim Traoré. "From now on, homosexuality and related practices are prohibited and punishable by law," interim Justice Minister Edasso Rodrique Bayala said in a statement. The specifics of the law and the penalties it will impose have not yet been disclosed.

Burkina Faso follows other African countries like Uganda and Ghana, where anti-LGBT+ laws have been tightened in recent years. In Uganda, the new law even imposes the death penalty for homosexuality in some cases.

Burkina Faso is experiencing politically turbulent times. The current military regime was established after a coup.