Entry #4658: Serving openly in military in Burkina Faso

Current Version

RegionBurkina Faso
IssueServing openly in military
StatusIllegal
Start DateSep 25, 2025
End Date(none)
DescriptionSince Burkina Faso’s 2025 Code of Persons and Family criminalizes “homosexual acts or similar practices” with 2–5 years’ imprisonment, open LGB military service is best classified as de facto barred or legally unsafe, even without a separate military-specific LGB ban. Transgender people are also best classified as de facto barred from open service, because Burkina Faso has no clear legal gender-recognition or gender-marker change procedure and no confirmed policy allowing service in an affirmed gender.
Sourceshttps://www.fonction-publique.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/storage/23_juillet_2021-03-loi_104_portant_statut_personnel_paramilitaire_DOUANE.pdf
https://www.defense.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/stockage/images/documents/Arrete_portant_modalites_de_recrutement_exceptionnel_de_1000_militaires_de_rang_dans_les_FAN.pdf
https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/burkina-faso/
https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/jointanalysis?a=BFA&id=transgenders&lan=en


Revision History (7)

edited by gengeros. Update for homosexual ban and no LGC

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value (Current)
Value(REMOVED)Illegal
Special StatusAmbiguousIllegal
Start Date(unknown)Sep 25, 2025
DescriptionLegal provisions relating to military recruitment do not exclude LGBT people from serving. Nevertheless, there are no inclusion measures for LGBT people.Since Burkina Faso’s 2025 Code of Persons and Family criminalizes “homosexual acts or similar practices” with 2–5 years’ imprisonment, open LGB military service is best classified as de facto barred or legally unsafe, even without a separate military-specific LGB ban. Transgender people are also best classified as de facto barred from open service, because Burkina Faso has no clear legal gender-recognition or gender-marker change procedure and no confirmed policy allowing service in an affirmed gender.
Show Difference
Legal provisions relating to military recruitment do not exclude LGBT people from serving. Nevertheless, there are no inclusion measures for LGBT people. Since Burkina Faso’s 2025 Code of Persons and Family criminalizes “homosexual acts or similar practices” with 2–5 years’ imprisonment, open LGB military service is best classified as de facto barred or legally unsafe, even without a separate military-specific LGB ban. Transgender people are also best classified as de facto barred from open service, because Burkina Faso has no clear legal gender-recognition or gender-marker change procedure and no confirmed policy allowing service in an affirmed gender.
Sourceshttps://www.fonction-publique.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/storage/23_juillet_2021-03-loi_104_portant_statut_personnel_paramilitaire_DOUANE.pdf
https://www.defense.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/stockage/images/documents/Arrete_portant_modalites_de_recrutement_exceptionnel_de_1000_militaires_de_rang_dans_les_FAN.pdf
https://www.fonction-publique.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/storage/23_juillet_2021-03-loi_104_portant_statut_personnel_paramilitaire_DOUANE.pdf
https://www.defense.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/stockage/images/documents/Arrete_portant_modalites_de_recrutement_exceptionnel_de_1000_militaires_de_rang_dans_les_FAN.pdf
https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/burkina-faso/
https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/jointanalysis?a=BFA&id=transgenders&lan=en
Show Difference
https://www.fonction-publique.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/storage/23_juillet_2021-03-loi_104_portant_statut_personnel_paramilitaire_DOUANE.pdf https://www.defense.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/stockage/images/documents/Arrete_portant_modalites_de_recrutement_exceptionnel_de_1000_militaires_de_rang_dans_les_FAN.pdf https://www.fonction-publique.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/storage/23_juillet_2021-03-loi_104_portant_statut_personnel_paramilitaire_DOUANE.pdf https://www.defense.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/stockage/images/documents/Arrete_portant_modalites_de_recrutement_exceptionnel_de_1000_militaires_de_rang_dans_les_FAN.pdf https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/burkina-faso/ https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/jointanalysis?a=BFA&id=transgenders&lan=en

edited by Nathan. Sources added

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value
ValueLesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned(REMOVED)
Special StatusLesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people bannedAmbiguous
DescriptionNo african country including this one allows trans service Legal provisions relating to military recruitment do not exclude LGBT people from serving. Nevertheless, there are no inclusion measures for LGBT people.
Show Difference
No african country including this one allows trans service Legal provisions relating to military recruitment do not exclude LGBT people from serving. Nevertheless, there are no inclusion measures for LGBT people.
Sourceshttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210629-countries-that-allow-transgender-people-easy-status-change https://www.fonction-publique.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/storage/23_juillet_2021-03-loi_104_portant_statut_personnel_paramilitaire_DOUANE.pdf
https://www.defense.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/stockage/images/documents/Arrete_portant_modalites_de_recrutement_exceptionnel_de_1000_militaires_de_rang_dans_les_FAN.pdf
Show Difference
https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210629-countries-that-allow-transgender-people-easy-status-change https://www.fonction-publique.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/storage/23_juillet_2021-03-loi_104_portant_statut_personnel_paramilitaire_DOUANE.pdf https://www.defense.gov.bf/fileadmin/user_upload/stockage/images/documents/Arrete_portant_modalites_de_recrutement_exceptionnel_de_1000_militaires_de_rang_dans_les_FAN.pdf

edited by Canadianstudent03. https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210629-countries-that-allow-transgender-people-easy-status-change

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value
ValueLegalLesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned
DescriptionNo african country including this one allows trans service
Sourceshttps://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210629-countries-that-allow-transgender-people-easy-status-change

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value
ValueDon't Ask, Don't TellLegal
DescriptionNo
SourcesNo

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value
ValueLegalDon't Ask, Don't Tell

edited by Ausyk

Helpful?
0
Old Value (Original) New Value
ValueIllegalLegal

created by Ausyk

Helpful?
0
Original entry
StatusIllegal
Start Date(unknown)
End Date(none)
DescriptionNo
SourcesNo