Burundian president, Evariste Ndashimiye has called for the stoning of LGBTQ couples in Burundi, citing religious reasons.
In this new order, the President launched a violent tirade against LGBTQ couples, terming it as an abominable act.
“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,” he said, in a public event in the country.
Further, he criticized Western countries for pressing other nations to allow gay rights or risk losing aid.
“Let them keep their help, let them keep it,” he said in his speech.
Notably, homosexuality is a criminal offence in Burundi, having been criminalized in 2009.
If found guilty of consensual homosexual acts, Burundians face a prison term of up to two years.
Consequently, in line with this, in March this year, 24 people were charged with homosexual practices in a crackdown.
At the time, the Burundi head of state asked citizens to treat gay people as pariahs.
Also Read; Pope Francis Allows Blessings for Same Sex Couples in Major Shift
Violence Against LGBTQ People in East Africa
Further, this is the newest violent remark on the LGBTQ community in East Africa after Uganda passed of one of the world’s harshest anti-gay laws in May, this year.
The law, dubbed the Anti-Homosexuality act, prescribes death penalty for certain same-sex acts.
Additionally, the harsh nature of the law prompted U.S. and World Bank sanctions.
However, activists and other interested parties have taken to court to challenge the anti-LGBTQ law.
Notably, after the passing of this law, the Human Rights Watch flagged the East African nation noting that it violates multiple fundamental rights guaranteed under Uganda’s constitution.
Religion and Homosexuality in Kenya
In Kenya, there was backlash from church leaders after the pope issued a directive in a landmark ruling that allowed priests to bless same sex couples.
Nairobi archbishop Phillip Anyolo publicly defied the pope’s directive in a statement dated December 24.
Also Read; Head of Catholic Church in Kenya Opposes Pope’s Order on Same Sex
“All Clergy residing and ministering in the Archdiocese of Nairobi are prohibited from blessing irregular relationships, unions, or same-sex couples. Any form of blessing of same-sex unions and activities would go against God’s word, the teaching of the church,” he stated.
Consequently, politicians and national leaders were quick to support his decision claiming that LGBTQ was against the country’s moral fabric.
For instance, cabinet Secretary, Moses Kuria noted that the Kenyan church would never accept same sex couples, despite the Vatican ruling.
“The decision by Archbishop Anyolo on blessing of same sex couples is the position of all of us from the Roman Catholic Church in Kenya. We will never accept same sex couples in the Kenyan Church, with utmost and profound respect and reverence to the Pope,” Moses Kuria stated.
Additionally, Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale agreed to Moses Kuria’s sentiments.
“We must refuse the homosexuality issues. We are Africans. Do not accept to be in a church that upholds marriages that go against the teachings of the Bible,” said Khalwale.
