Mali Criminalises Homosexuality, Bans LGBTQ+ Advocacy

The National Transitional Council (NTC) of Mali has adopted a revised penal code that criminalises homosexuality and prohibits advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.

The plenary session, led by NTC President Malick Diaw at the Bamako International Conference Center, passed the new penal and criminal procedure codes as part of a reform to align Mali’s legal system with current social standards, according to Justice Minister Kassogué.

There has been an intensifying crackdown on LGBTQ rights across Africa.

This development in Mali comes four months after Burkina Faso, which is also a member of the Alliance of Sahel states along with Mali and Niger, criminalised homosexuality and similar practices as punishable by law.

In May of last year, Uganda implemented one of the world’s most severe anti-LGBTQ laws, imposing penalties of up to life in prison for consensual same-sex relations and provisions that make “aggravated homosexuality” an offence punishable by death.

In February, Ghana’s parliament passed stricter anti-LGBTQ legislation, increasing the jail term from three years to five years for those involved in the formation or financing of LGBTQ+ organisations.

LGBTQ activities are also prohibited in Nigeria and punishable by the law, with a 14-year jail term for offenders. However, it was reported that the country signed a $150 billion Samoa Agreement, which allegedly entails the condition to recognise and support the LGBTQ community despite the Anti-Gay Laws in the country. The federal government denied the claims, stating the Samoa agreement was strictly for economic development.

Read: Mali Gains 35% Stake in Country’s Second Lithium Project

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