Zambia
Zambia’s President Edgar Lungu on Monday pardoned a gay couple who was sentenced to 15 years in prison over ‘‘unnatural acts’‘. The amnesty was granted for Freedom Day celebration in Africa, a local press said.
The sentencing of 39-year old Japhet Chataba and 31-year old Steven Samba at the end of 2019, caused tensions with the United States.
The U.S Ambassador to Lusaka, Daniel Foote, then said he was horrified by the court’s decision, arousing harsh response in conservative Zambia.
The U.S recalled its ambassador after President Lungu said the ambassador was no longer welcomed in the country.
Chataba and Samba are among 2,984 prisoners pardoned by President Lungu, the newspaper reported.
Zambia does not explicitly prohibit homosexual relations, but its Constitution frowns on ‘‘any carnal relations against natural order’‘.
AFP
Go to video
Fugitive Zambian MP Emmanuel Jay Banda arrested in Zimbabwe after three-month Manhunt
01:26
Tens of thousands rally in New Zealand in support of Māori rights
01:45
Detainees released in Burundi as part of effort to reduce overcrowding in prisons
Go to video
World's longest detained journalist wins rights prize
Go to video
Viral Facebook video poses threat to Nigeria’s LGBTQ+ community - Meta
01:26
UN: Southern Africa faces worst hunger crisis in decades due to El Niño