Burundi’s President, Evariste Ndayishimiye, stirred controversy by publicly endorsing the stoning of same-sex couples during an event in the eastern part of the country. The President, a Catholic, referred to marriage between same-sex couples as an “abominable practice.”
Homosexuality has been criminalized in Burundi since 2009, with consensual same-sex acts punishable by up to two years in prison. Ndayishimiye’s vehement anti-gay stance adds further strain to the already oppressive environment for the LGBTQ+ community in the conservative Christian nation.
In response to a question at the public event, Ndayishimiye suggested that individuals engaging in same-sex relationships should be gathered in a stadium and stoned, asserting that such an act would not be considered a sin.
The President also took aim at Western nations that use aid as leverage to encourage the recognition of gay rights, expressing a dismissive attitude towards their assistance: “Let them keep their help, let them keep it.” He went further to state that Burundians abroad practicing homosexuality should refrain from returning to the country.
This alarming rhetoric aligns with the broader trend in several East African countries, where homosexuality is illegal, and there is a pervasive history of discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, often fueled by conservative religious beliefs.
Burundi’s move to criminalize homosexual practices in March, resulting in charges against 24 individuals, reflected Ndayishimiye’s call for citizens to root out homosexuality and treat gay people as “pariahs.” Despite international praise for ending the country’s isolation, Ndayishimiye has faced criticism for a lack of improvement in Burundi’s human rights record, and the nation remains among the world’s poorest. The President’s recent statements raise serious concerns about the protection of human rights and the well-being of marginalized communities in Burundi.
