African leaders may shun EU summit over sanctions imposed on Uganda and Nigeria for their anti-gay laws

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An organisation representing African nations says leaders from the continent may pull out of an upcoming European summit over efforts to impose sanctions on Uganda and Nigeria.

The European Parliament last week adopted a resolution condemning homophobic laws in the two countries.

The resolution calls on the European Commission and EU member states to take immediate action in regards to political cooperation, aid, and asylum.

In response, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Parliament (ACP) said it will discourage African heads of state and government from attending the EU-Africa summit scheduled for May should Western nations impose sanctions on Uganda and Nigeria.

The EU approved a non-binding resolution by a large majority which said that the two countries violated the Cotonou accord on human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law.

The ACP-EU joint parliamentary assembly is currently under way in France where it is set to debate a motion on the suspension of Uganda and Nigeria from Cotonou Partnership Agreement.

Nigeria strengthened its laws against same-sex sexual activity in January.

Anyone who enters into a same-sex marriage or civil union may be jailed for up to 14 years

President Yoweri Museveni gave assent to a law further criminalising same-sex sexual activity in Uganda last month.