Burundi’s President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, strongly condemned homosexuality during a speech, advocating for public stoning of same-sex couples. He criticized Western nations that pressure other countries to embrace gay rights, linking it to potential aid cuts.
Since 2009, Burundi has criminalized homosexuality, imposing prison sentences of up to two years for consensual same-sex relationships.
Ndayishimiye, a Catholic, labeled same-sex marriage as an “abominable practice” within this conservative Christian nation in East Africa.
“Personally, I think if we see these kinds of individuals in Burundi we should put them in a stadium and stone them. And it would not be a sin for those who do,” Ndayishimiye said in response to a question at a public event in the east of the country that was broadcast by Burundian media.
He also condemned Western nations for pressuring smaller countries to accept gay marriage by threatening to withdraw aid, stating, “Let them keep their help.” President Ndayishimiye added that Burundians living abroad practicing homosexuality should not return. Across East African nations, homosexuality remains illegal, influenced by a history of repression and social stigmatization against the LGBTQ+ community, often fueled by conservative religious beliefs.
Uganda, in particular, passed stringent anti-gay legislation in May, drawing criticism from human rights groups and Western nations.
In response, the US announced plans to remove Uganda from a significant trade deal and imposed visa restrictions on officials, while the World Bank halted new loans to the country. The legality of the legislation is currently under scrutiny in Uganda’s constitutional court.
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