In a shocking development, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye launched a vehement anti-gay tirade on Friday, advocating for the public stoning of same-sex couples. The conservative Christian country in East Africa has criminalized homosexuality since 2009, imposing prison terms of up to two years for consensual same-sex acts.
During a public event in the eastern part of the country, President Ndayishimiye, a Catholic, described the marriage between same-sex couples as an “abominable practice.” Responding to a question, he suggested, “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.
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The Burundian leader also criticized Western nations that pressure smaller countries to embrace gay rights under the threat of losing aid, stating, “Let them keep their help, let them keep it.” Furthermore, he declared that Burundians living abroad who engage in homosexuality have “chosen the devil” and should not return.
Homosexuality faces legal consequences in many East African countries, marked by a history of repression and stigmatization against the LGBTQ+ community, often fueled by conservative religious beliefs. Uganda, in May, implemented stringent anti-gay laws, triggering international outrage and responses, including the removal of Uganda from a key trade deal by the United States and visa restrictions on certain officials.
Burundi, under President Ndayishimiye, has seen a crackdown on same-sex relationships, with 24 people charged with “homosexual practices” in March this year. The President had earlier called on citizens to root out homosexuality and treat gay individuals as “pariahs.”
Despite international recognition for steering Burundi away from isolation after assuming power in June 2020, President Ndayishimiye has faced criticism for a lack of improvement in the country’s human rights record. With a population of 12 million, Burundi remains one of the poorest nations on the planet.