Mozambique on Monday decriminalized homosexuality when a new penal code came into force, sweeping away old Portuguese colonial laws.

According to Aljazeera, the old code, dating back to 1886, targeted anyone “who habitually engages in vices against nature” — though no known prosecutions took place after Mozambique became independent in 1975.

Breaking the law was punishable by up to three years of hard labor.   

The new penal code, which was announced last December by then President Armando Guebuza, also decriminalizes abortion after lobbying by civil rights organizations.

Women can now end a pregnancy until the 12th week. Extraordinary circumstances, such as rape or threats to the mother's life, allow for the procedure until the 16th week.

MostAfrican countries outlaw homosexuality, but Mozambique has seen little anti-gay violence or social friction over the issue.

According to Dercio Tsandzana, an influential blogger and activist, "most Mozambicans don't deny homosexuality, but one can't say either that it is accepted.“