The president of Burundi, Evariste Ndayishimiye has called for the stoning of gay couples publicly at a stadium. 

Ndayishimiye also criticized western countries for pushing underdeveloped countries to allow homosexuality in order to get foreign aid. 

According to the constitution of Burundi, homosexuality has been a crime since 2009, with those found engaging in the act getting up to two years in prison.

Speaking during an event on Friday, December 29, President Ndayishimiye, who is a Catholic, insisted that gay couples shall never be allowed in Burundi.

READ ALSO: Uganda pleading with World Bank for funds after Museveni’s anti-gay law

“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,” said Ndayishimiye during a live broadcast event in Burundi.

READ ALSO: Nigeria: Court jails dozens over alleged gay wedding

According to him, Burundi citizens who have chosen homosexuality should not return to the country. 

Burundi is among other African countries that have criminalized homosexuality, while embracing Christianity, Islam and other religions. 

For instance, Uganda passed the anti-gay law in May 2023 in a move that attracted criticism from United States and other Western powers. 

As a result, the World Bank suspended the funding of key projects in Uganda as the US stopped importing textile products from Uganda after passing of the anti-gay law.

READ ALSO: India’s court rejects appeal to legalize same-sex marriage

In a separate  incident, Burundi charged 24 people in court in March 2023 for allegedly engaging in homosexuality. This was during a crackdown on homosexuals. 

President Ndayishimiye took power in June 2020 after the death of President Pierre Nkurunziza.