Niger has become the latest African country to introduce harsh legislation criminalising Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) people.

The West African nation’s military Junta has enacted a new penal code that officially criminalises same sex relationships, imposing prison terms of up to 10 years.

Similar restrictive laws were passed by Mali in late 2024, Burkina Faso in late 2025, and Senegal in early this year.

Supporters of the law, however, maintain that it reflects the country’s cultural, religious and social values.

–Channel Africa–