Anti-LGBTQ+ laws are on the rise across west Africa, campaigners warn | TheBriefWire
Anti-LGBTQ+ laws are on the rise across west Africa, campaigners warn
Published 2 August 2026 ¡ politics
Activists in the region say politicians regard LGBTQ+ people as âthe easiest scapegoats to maintain their powerâ A growing number of west African countries are
Activists in the region say politicians regard LGBTQ+ people as âthe easiest scapegoats to maintain their powerâ A growing number of west African countries are implementing or strengthening anti-LGBTQ+ laws, amid local political pressures and a global pushback against LGBTQ+ rights.
In March, Senegal doubled the maximum prison sentence for gay sex to 10 years and criminalised the âpromotionâ of homosexuality. Niger criminalised âsexual relations with
a person of the same sexâ in February, the first time same-sex intimacy had been outlawed in the country. Continue reading...
Published: August 2, 2026 ⢠9:30 AM IST ¡ Updated: August 2, 2026 ⢠10:08 AM ISTBy TheBriefWire Editorial Team
Key points
Activists in the region say politicians regard LGBTQ+ people as âthe easiest scapegoats to maintain their powerâ A growing number of west African countries are implementing or strengthening anti-LGBTQ+ laws, amid local political pressures and a global pushback against LGBTQ+ rights.
In March, Senegal doubled the maximum prison sentence for gay sex to 10 years and criminalised the âpromotionâ of homosexuality.
Niger criminalised âsexual relations with a person of the same sexâ in February, the first time same-sex intimacy had been outlawed in the country.
The BriefWire