The United States has expressed deep concern over recent statements made by Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, who called for the public stoning of gay individuals.
Ndayishimiye’s comments have intensified the existing plight of the LGBTQ+ community in Burundi, where same-sex relationships are already punishable by law with imprisonment for up to two years.
President Ndayishimiye’s controversial remarks, which were made during a public event on December 30, have provoked significant backlash from both national and international communities. Despite the outcry, the president remained defiant, indicating his indifference to potential economic sanctions from other countries. His call for stoning directly targets an already marginalised and vulnerable group within Burundian society.
Responding to these developments, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasised the need for all individuals in Burundi, including the LGBTQ+ community, to be treated with dignity and have equal access to justice.
Miller’s statement did not explicitly address the president’s call for stoning. The U.S. has been actively working to mend relations with Burundi, recently agreeing to a significant five-year aid deal after lifting previous sanctions.
The situation in Burundi highlights the broader challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. President Ndayishimiye’s comments not only exacerbate the dangers faced by sexual minorities in Burundi, where being LGBTQ+ can lead to imprisonment and fines but also emphasise the ongoing struggle for human rights globally.
LGBTQ+ activists, like Kasha Jacqueline Nabagesera from Uganda, have voiced concerns that such rhetoric from a head of state significantly endangers LGBTQ+ individuals and their supporters.
