Sanctions put pressure on Ghana and Uganda over anti-LGBTQ+ laws

Uganda’s Constitutional Court recently made a ruling to water down a tough anti-LGBTQ+ law, a decision that many believe was influenced by concerns over potential international sanctions. The court’s move to strike out several contentious clauses from the law came after similar legislation in Ghana faced obstacles due to warnings from the Finance Ministry about potential aid cuts.

Steven Kabuye, a Ugandan LGBTQ+ activist, suggested that the court’s decision was aimed at appeasing international donors who had raised objections to certain clauses that created barriers to health services, particularly HIV/AIDS care. The Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda, enacted in May 2023, imposed severe penalties for LGBTQ+ individuals, leading to sanctions from the United States and the World Bank.

Despite the court’s ruling to remove some controversial measures from the law, critics argue that many draconian provisions still remain in force, indicating that sanctions have only had a partial impact. The threat of economic sanctions also played a role in Ghana, where President Nana Akufo-Addo has not yet signed a tough anti-LGBTQ+ bill into law due to concerns about potential financial repercussions.

The debate over international sanctions on African countries continues, with some advocating for targeted measures against key advocates of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Additionally, the shift towards seeking economic ties with countries like China, which do not impose conditions on anti-LGBTQ+ laws, highlights a changing dynamic in global relations.

As the discussion on LGBTQ+ rights and international pressure evolves, the impact of sanctions on African nations remains a contentious issue with implications for human rights and economic development.