Burundi’s President Advocates Public Stoning For Same-Sex Couples

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye ignited controversy on Friday with a vehement anti-LGBT tirade, advocating for the public stoning of same-sex couples.

The remarks were delivered during a public event in the eastern part of the country and broadcast by Burundian media. Ndayishimiye, a Catholic, staunchly condemned same-sex marriage as an “abominable practice” and shockingly suggested that individuals engaged in such relationships should be gathered in a stadium and subjected to stoning, asserting that it would not be considered a sin for those carrying out such acts.

In addition to his anti-LGBT stance, President Ndayishimiye sharply criticized Western nations that exert pressure on smaller countries to adopt gay rights policies by linking compliance with the retention of foreign aid. His stance was clear: “Let them keep their help.” This aligns with a broader trend in some East African countries, where homosexuality has been criminalized, often influenced by conservative religious beliefs.

Burundi itself criminalized homosexuality in 2009, imposing prison terms of up to two years for consensual same-sex acts. Ndayishimiye’s comments further escalated tensions, as he discouraged Burundians abroad who have embraced homosexuality, referring to them as having “chosen the devil,” and advised them not to return to the country.

This harsh position on LGBT issues is not isolated in the region. Earlier this year, Burundi charged 24 individuals with “homosexual practices” in a crackdown on same-sex relationships, following a call by Ndayishimiye for citizens to root out homosexuality and treat gay people as “pariahs.”

While President Ndayishimiye assumed power in June 2020 after the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza, receiving international acknowledgment for easing Burundi’s isolation, concerns persist about the country’s human rights record. Despite initial optimism, his administration has yet to bring about significant improvements, and Burundi, with a population of 12 million, remains one of the poorest nations globally. The international community continues to closely monitor developments in the country amid these controversial remarks and ongoing human rights concerns.

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