01/07/2026 07:35 - Internacionales
A true "witch hunt" is underway in Niger, a landlocked West African nation, where at least 40 people have been arrested for homosexuality following the implementation of a new penal code criminalizing same-sex relationships. According to local media reports, 16 men have been imprisoned, including high-ranking military officers, in a crackdown that has created an atmosphere of terror.
The LGBTQ+ population has been forced into hiding due to persecution risks. "The climate here is truly toxic," declared an anonymous source linked to health organizations. "LGBTQ+ populations are keeping a low profile and have gone into hiding because they are at risk. We have lost contact with many," they added.
General Abdourahamane Tiani seized power through a military coup in July 2023 and assumed the presidency in 2025 for a five-year term.
He dissolved all political parties and formed the Alliance of Sahel States alongside Burkina Faso and Mali, breaking ties with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Criminalization has had immediate consequences on the health system. Organizations providing HIV services to men who have sex with men have had to cease operations. Those affected no longer have access to condoms, testing, or PrEP (preventive HIV medication).
"When people go into hiding, we don't see them and they cannot protect themselves," warned the anonymous source. Niger registered 32,000 new HIV infections in 2023, and the sub-Saharan African region accounts for 64% of all people living with HIV worldwide.
Alarming fact: Last week, Niger was one of eight countries that voted against the UN political declaration on HIV/AIDS, approved by 149 votes.
Niger's penal reform is part of a growing trend in sub-Saharan Africa toward more punitive legislation against the LGBTQ+ community. Neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso have introduced similar laws in the past two years.
Political scientist Larissa Kojoué denounced the political use of this criminalization: "Political leaders use this to advance their own agendas. They claim 'African values,' sovereignty, and culture, while happily undermining human rights."
"On the African continent you can do whatever you want with LGBTQ+ people and get away with it," Kojoué added.
| Country | Legislation | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | Anti-Homosexuality Act (2023) | Death penalty |
| Senegal | New law (doubled penalties) | 10 years in prison |
| Ghana | Bill criminalizing groups | In process |
| Niger | New penal code (February 2026) | 20 years (same-sex marriage) |
Note: Globally, 33 of the 66 countries criminalizing consensual homosexual acts are African.
The international human rights organization Front Line Defenders expressed its "deep concern" about events in Niger and called on authorities to "repeal all provisions criminalizing individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity."
The new penal code, promulgated in February 2026, is the first in Niger's history to explicitly criminalize homosexuality. It represents a significant setback for human rights in a country that, until now, had no specific legislation against the LGBTQ+ community.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
