The assenting into law of the Anti-Homosexuality Act by Ugandan President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has been received with mixed reactions within and without Africa while exposing the underbelly of the United States of America diplomacy and democracy.
The anti-LGBTQ law has elicited more resolute reactions from the West. They claim to be championing democratic values while seemingly interfering with the internal affairs of sovereign states across the globe. Therefore, the ongoing debate on the same sex relationship and growing pressure from the West is unfortunate to say the least.
The US should adhere to her own principles by respecting the democratic choices made by other nations. It is wrong for the country to advocate for democracy while at the same time attempting to suppress the same in other countries.
Threatening to sanction Uganda is a classic example of the US trying to go against what it has been preaching for years. The West should respect our democratic space and support our decisions within the tenets of international relations.
For many years, Kenya has taken an ambiguous stand on LGBTQ, but I am glad that President William Ruto made a clear stand on the matter. The Head of State was categorical early this year that same sex relationships would not be accepted in the country despite mounting pressure from quarters he did not reveal.
Alien to us
This followed a ruling by the Supreme Court of Kenya which dismissed an appeal by the government to bar the registration of LGBTQ lobby groups. While some Kenyans and lawmakers are against the action taken by the president, it is prudent to agree that we ought not to ape everything that happens in other countries.
Our Constitution, culture and traditions prohibit the practice of same sex relationships and as a people, there are values we hold so dearly in our society and acts of homosexuality are alien to us, hence other nations should not force us to support something which we consider as an abomination.
If I may ask, why don’t these countries pressurise the Arab countries that have even harsher anti-gay legislations?
Even if you do not agree with a country’s standpoint, civilised diplomacy dictates that you respectfully disagree, not resort to sanctions.
Our legislators need to streamline our laws in regard to the LGBTQ because as it stands now, our laws talk of unnatural offences but do not define the scope of it.
Since both political and religious leaders have aired their concerns on same sex relationships, it is time for us to have a defined position on this matter. We cannot continue to take an abstruse stand on this matter which has elicited global debate.
For the sake of our beloved country’s values and beliefs, the political class and religious institutions should come up with a framework on this matter without coercion.
Mr Muthama is a commissioner of Parliamentary Service Commission
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