Burundi’s President, Évariste Ndayishimiye, has come under sharp criticism from Human Rights Watch, the US and the EU for expressing support for the public execution of LGBTIQ+ individuals. His controversial comments were made during a press conference on December 29, in response to questions about Western nations pressuring African countries to uphold LGBTIQ+ rights. He declared, “For me, I think that if we find these people in Burundi, they should be taken to stadiums and be stoned, and doing so would not be a crime.” Human Rights Watch reported that the president’s remarks quickly ignited a wave of supportive comments on social media, with further calls for violence against LGBTQ people. Activists expressed deep concern over the potential escalation of hostility and danger faced by the LGBTQ community in Burundi.