Mali transition council passes anti-gay law

Until now no criminal sanctions for LGBTQ relationships had been in force in Mali, a largely Muslim Sahel nation where traditional values hold sway. [Getty Images]

Mali's de facto parliament has passed a law criminalising same-sex acts in the junta-led country, the latest in Africa to adopt legislation targeting LGBTQ rights.

Until now no criminal sanctions for LGBTQ relationships had been in force in Mali, a largely Muslim Sahel nation where traditional values hold sway.

The bill still has to be signed off by the country's military leaders, who took over in a coup in 2020.

But from now on, "there are provisions in our laws that prohibit homosexuality in Mali," declared Justice and Human Rights Minister Mamadou Kassogue.

"Anyone who indulges in this practice, or promotes or condones it, will be prosecuted."

On Thursday evening the National Transitional Council -- which effectively serves as the country's legislature since the coup -- adopted a draft penal code including the homosexuality ban by 132 votes to one, according to the council's Facebook page.

"We will not accept our customs and values being violated by people from elsewhere. This text will be applied, God willing," Kassogue added.

AFP was unable to obtain a copy of the new penal code, and the penalties incurred for violating the ban on same-sex acts are unknown.

A May 2024 report by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) found that same-sex acts were criminalised in one-third of the world's nations, while the death penalty for them existed in some form in a dozen.

Around 30 African countries ban homosexuality, with Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan having the death penalty for same-sex relations.