Metro

Burundi’s president wants gay couples stoned

Published

12 months ago

December 31, 2023

The President of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye, has called for the public stoning of same-sex couples. The president, a devout Catholic, described same-sex marriage as an “abominable practice.”

Additionally, he took aim at Western nations that compelled other countries to grant gay rights or risk losing their assistance. In 2009, homosexuality was made a crime in Burundi, an East African nation of conservative Christian beliefs. Consensual same-sex acts can result in sentences of up to two years in prison.

Ndayishimiye said in response to a question at a public event in the east of the country that, “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.”

Additionally, he criticised Western nations for pressuring smaller countries to accept gay marriage or risk having their aid withheld, saying, “Let them keep their help; let them keep it.” He went on to say that Burundian expatriates who had “chosen the devil” and practiced homosexuality ought “not to return.”

Burundi and its East African neighbours have been strong against the LGBTQ community. Several other African countries also have strong legislations against people who identify with the LGBTQ movement. For example, in March, Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema, warned advocates of the LGBTQ movement to desist from promoting homosexuality and insisted that the country “maintain laws that abhor alien orientations like gayism and lesbianism.”

But the story is not the same for all African countries. In 2006, South Africa became the first, and remains the only, African country to legalize same-sex marriage, with a constitution that also protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation. Others like Angola, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, and Seychelles, all have laws in favour of the community in Africa.

Related Topics:Burundi Featured Gay couples LGBTQ

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Metro

Zambia: Expert warns of food security threat due to climate change

Published

3 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A prominent Zambian climate-smart agriculture expert, Oliver Bulaya, has warned of a collapse of the county’s agricultural sector with a potential threat to food security due to the worsening impact of climate change.

Bulaya, who bared his mind in an interview with Zambia Monitor on Friday, warned that ignoring the crisis could lead to severe disruptions in the country’s food supply and economy.

“Unless concerted efforts are made, the country will continue facing dire consequences from climate change,” the expert noted.

He lamented a growing trend of farmers relocating to regions experiencing above-normal rainfall, such as the northern block, as they struggle with losses caused by climate variability.

Bulaya emphasized that the once-reliable rainfall areas like North-Western Zambia are now experiencing lower precipitation, as seen during the 2023/2024 farming season and cautioned that poor farming practices, which had already strained the Southern region, could lead to similar challenges in other parts of the country if proactive measures were not implemented.

Metro

Outrage over murder of Nigerian beaten to death by South Africans inside estate security office

Published

8 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Nigerian community, under the auspices of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), has raised the alarm over the murder of a 37-year-old Nigerian, Julius Chukwunta, who was beaten to death by four South Africans inside an estate.

According to the association, Chukwunta, a native of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State, was reportedly attacked on Saturday, December 7, while driving to his residence in Midrand Protea Estate.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the President-General of NICASA, Dr Frank Onyekwelu, Chukwunta was blocked by the four men while approaching his residence.

Onyekwelu stated that information available to the association noted that after attempting to pass through, Chukwunta was met with resistance by the assailants, prompting him to seek help at the security office of the estate.

“At that moment, the four men allegedly attacked him, leaving him severely injured with a head wound,” the PG said.

“His female companion, who was sitting in the car, rushed to the security office and discovered him bleeding on the ground.

“In spite of attempts to call for help, the security office and residents did not assist in calling the police or an ambulance.

“After an hour, Chukwunta’s partner contacted her father, who, along with other family members, took him to Tembisa General Hospital.

“Chukwunta was placed on life support but later succumbed to his injuries and died at the Tembisa General Hospital on December 10, 2024.”

Onyekwelu also confirmed that the case was reported to the police by Chukwunta’s partner at the Midrand Police Station and was registered under file number 262/12/2024.

The NICASA President said the four suspects, aged 20, 24, 27, and 28, were arrested, and the case was presented in Alexandra Magistrate Court on December 13, 2024, where they were charged with murder.

“The court proceedings on December 18, 2024, saw three of the suspects granted bail of R10,000 each, while the fourth had not yet applied for bail. The case was adjourned to February 3, 2025.”

Onyekwelu however, expressed disappointment at the proceedings, wondering why three of the suspects were released on bail and vowed that the Nigerian community would continue to demand justice for Chukwunta and support his family.

He emphasised that the community would not rest until justice was served and the value of Nigerian lives was upheld in South Africa.