In Burundi, President Evariste Ndayishimiye has intensified the crackdown on sexual minorities by urging citizens to stone gay people. LGBT individuals in the country already face social ostracism and up to two years in jail if convicted of same-sex offenses.
Ndayishimiye made the controversial comments during a question and answer session with journalists and the public in Burundi’s east on Friday. He stated, “If you want to attract a curse to the country, accept homosexuality.” He then suggested that gay individuals should be led to a stadium and stoned, adding that it would not be a sin to do so. He also described homosexuality as an import from the West.
These remarks represent the growing intolerance of LGBT individuals in the region, as seen in Uganda’s recent passing of a law that imposes the death penalty for certain categories of same-sex offenses and lengthy jail sentences for others. This move was strongly condemned by Western governments and human rights activists.
The United States responded to Uganda’s law by imposing sanctions, including travel restrictions, and removing the country from a tariff-free trade deal. Additionally, the World Bank suspended all future loans to the east African country in protest.
Lawmakers in Kenya, South Sudan, and Tanzania are also advocating for similarly strict anti-gay laws in their respective countries. These politicians argue that their efforts are meant to uphold African values and sovereignty in the face of what they perceive as Western pressure on the issue.
President Ndayishimiye’s comments have sparked significant controversy and outrage, raising concerns about the treatment of LGBT individuals in Burundi and the broader region. Human rights organizations and advocates have strongly condemned his remarks, highlighting the need to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation.
It remains to be seen how Ndayishimiye’s comments and the broader crackdown on LGBT individuals will impact relations between Burundi and Western countries, as well as the country’s standing within the international community. The situation underscores the ongoing debate and struggle over LGBT rights in many parts of the world, as well as the competing tensions between cultural values and human rights.
(Reporting by Clement Manirabarusha; Editing by Elias Biryabarema and Frances Kerry)
