The introduction of a new penal code in Niger has unleashed a wave of arrests targeting the country's LGBTQ+ community, leaving dozens detained and forcing others into hiding. The crackdown, which has created a "truly toxic" environment, is widely regarded as a witch-hunt, with local sources warning that it is disrupting essential health services and putting lives at risk.
According to reports, up to 40 individuals have been arrested, with at least 16 men - including some high-ranking military officials - now imprisoned across the West African nation. The new code, enacted in February, criminalises "indecent or unnatural acts" and "sexual relations with a person of the same sex", carrying punishments of up to 10 years' imprisonment and fines reaching £130,000.
This marked shift in Niger's laws mirrors similar developments in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso over the past two years, where comparable legislation has been introduced. The new code also mandates prison terms of up to 20 years for those participating in or organising a gay marriage, and imposes severe penalties on individuals or organisations involved with LGBTQ+ groups.
The impact on public health is a significant concern, with organisations providing HIV services - including access to condoms, testing, and PrEP medication - forced to cease operations. An anonymous source warned that without these preventative measures, individuals in hiding will be unable to protect themselves, potentially reversing progress made in managing the epidemic.
The current military government, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, has been accused of adopting an anti-imperialist stance and prioritising "African values" over human rights. Niger's decision last week to vote against the UN's political declaration on HIV/Aids further underscores its stance on these issues.
Political scientists and activists argue that claims that homosexuality is a Western import are unfounded, with Larissa Kojoué dismissing such assertions as an attempt by regimes to advance their own agendas. She notes that no culture encourages violence against innocent people, and highlights the need for leaders to uphold human rights commitments.