Audio By Carbonatix
Gabon's senate has strongly voted in favour of decriminalising homosexuality, a week after the lower house in the national assembly voted for a similar change.
If the move is ratified by the president, Gabon will become one of only a few African countries to legally allow homosexuality.
A number of prominent politicians, as well as Christian and Muslim leaders, have reacted angrily, describing it as a change designed to appease foreign donors.
Last year, the central African nation criminalised homosexuality and made gay sex punishable with six months in prison and a large fine. Activists said that the move had sent the LGBT community further underground and had led to harassment.
Many African countries impose jail sentences on homosexuals, who are in some cases threatened with the death penalty.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana weighs post-IMF pathways as PCI emerges front-runner in policy options
3 minutes -
NIA workers begin strike over conditions of service
15 minutes -
Over 500,000 candidates begin 2026 WASSCE across Ghana today
26 minutes -
Shaibu Haruna calls for stronger consumer protection to back Africa’s fast-growing digital lending
56 minutes -
Youth education, skills development, and mentorship are imperative for Ghana’s economic future
57 minutes -
Ghanaian clergyman and former Joy FM radio pastor Rev. Jonathan Asiedu-Otibu earns doctorate in US
1 hour -
Fuel prices set to rise from May 16 despite possible extension of gov’t intervention
1 hour -
Ghana likely to sign up to IMF Policy Coordination Instrument after ECF Programme ends in 2026
1 hour -
Parliament liaising with Ghana Mission in Netherlands over detention of Asante Akyem North MP
2 hours -
‘Okada’ riders should prepare for implementation of new law – Legal Resources Centre
2 hours -
Deliver or step aside – Nana Akomea fires back at NDC critics of early NPP manifesto plans
2 hours -
Elected party officers will answer through committees – Nana Akomea explains NPP’s new power structure
2 hours -
Get the acrimony out of the way – Akomea reveals logic behind NPP’s early 2028 strategy
3 hours -
South Africa’s top court bars repeat asylum applications
3 hours -
Jason Collins, NBA’s first openly gay player, dies aged 47
3 hours