Burkina Faso’s transitional military government has passed a law criminalizing homosexuality, imposing prison sentences of two to five years, fines, and deportation for foreigners.

Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala announced the measure, which takes immediate effect as part of broader family and citizenship reforms.

The law was unanimously approved by 71 unelected members of the transitional assembly.

Rights groups are expected to condemn the move, which adds to concerns over human rights under President Ibrahim Traoré’s rule since the 2022 coups, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Burkina Faso now joins more than half of African nations, including recent cases in Mali, Ghana, and Uganda, that have enacted or toughened anti-LGBTQ laws.