Past African leaders such as Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni claimed that LGBT behaviour was brought into the continent from other parts of the world. Nevertheless, most scholarship and research demonstrates that homosexuality has long been a part of various African cultures. In Somalia, Somaliland, Mauritania and northern Nigeria, homosexuality is punishable by death.
In Uganda, Tanzania, and Sierra Leone, offenders can receive life imprisonment for homosexual acts, although the law is not enforced in Sierra Leone. In addition to criminalizing homosexuality, Nigeria has enacted legislation that would make it illegal for heterosexual family members, allies and friends of LGBT people to be supportive.
According to Nigerian law, a heterosexual ally 'who administers, witnesses, abets or aids' any form of gender non-conforming and homosexual activity could receive a 10-year jail sentence. The Republic of South Africa has the most liberal attitudes toward gays and lesbians, as the country has legalized same-sex marriage and its Constitution guarantees gay and lesbian rights and protections.
