‘Witch-hunt’ in Niger as military regime rounds up LGBTQ+ population

Niger’s military leader, Gen Abdourahamane Tiani, who seized power in 2023. Photograph: AP View image in fullscreen Niger’s military leader, Gen Abdourahamane Tiani, who seized power in 2023. Photograph: AP ‘Witch-hunt’ in Niger as military regime rounds up LGBTQ+ population Fears of resurgence of HIV/Aids amid loss of access to PrEP drugs as at least 40 people arrested in ‘toxic’ climate A “witch-hunt” is under way in Niger, where dozens of people have been arrested for homosexuality in the west African state following the introduction of a new penal code earlier this year. Up to 40 people have been arrested and 16 men, including high-ranking military officials, have been imprisoned across the country, according to local media. Organisations providing HIV services to men who have sex with men have had to stop working, according to a source who asked to remain anonymous. “With the recent witch-hunt, and these arrests that are taking place, the climate here is truly toxic,” they said. “LGBTQ+ populations are keeping a low profile and have gone into hiding because they are at risk. We have lost contact with many and the recent arrests have exacerbated tensions.” Niger’s new penal code , enacted in February, dictates that “indecent or unnatural acts” and “sexual relations with a person of the same sex” are punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 100m West African CFA francs (£130,000). It is the first time in the country’s history that homosexuality has been criminalised and follows the introduction of similar laws and penal codes in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso within the past two years. Gen Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of the military government, seized power in a coup d’état in July 2023 and was sworn in as president in 2025 for a term of five years , dissolving all political parties in the country. The former UN peacekeeper has pushed anti-imperialist rhetoric and formed the Alliance of Sahel States with Burkina Faso and Mali, breaking away from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). View image in fullscreen Senegalese men demonstrate in Dakar against LGBTQ+ rights. Photograph: AP Larissa Kojoué, a political scientist and pan-African activist, dismissed the idea of homosexuality being somehow linked to western culture. “Political leaders are using this to advance their own political agenda,” she said. “They claim ‘African values’, sovereignty and culture, all the while happily undermining human rights for people.” She added: “There is no culture that encourages violence against innocent people, or that doesn’t hold perpetrators of violence accountable. But on the [African] continent you can do whatever you want with LGBTQ+ people and get away with it.” The changes to the penal code started under Niger’s previous civilian president, Mohamed Bazoum. But in March 2025, Tiani’s regime promulgated the Charter of the Refoundation to replace Niger’s 2010 constitution. Although the charter prohibits LGBTQ