{"id":2086,"date":"2026-07-01T20:59:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T20:59:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnnglobalnews.com\/2026\/07\/01\/witch-hunt-in-niger-as-military-regime-rounds-up-lgbtq-population\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T20:59:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T20:59:02","slug":"witch-hunt-in-niger-as-military-regime-rounds-up-lgbtq-population","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/?p=2086","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Witch-hunt\u2019 in Niger as military regime rounds up LGBTQ+ population"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"fd8a95d0-332a-4e40-bea4-6fa481d74ee4\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"An older African man in camouflage fatigues and a beret sits by a green and orange flag\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ae1ac6f6547bd7056a9dc272ac36c62ff1222f3f\/1790_340_6402_5124\/master\/6402.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372.174320524836\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Niger\u2019s military leader, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in 2023.<\/span> Photograph: AP<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"fd8a95d0-332a-4e40-bea4-6fa481d74ee4\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Niger\u2019s military leader, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in 2023.<\/span> Photograph: AP<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">\u2018Witch-hunt\u2019 in Niger as military regime rounds up LGBTQ+ population<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>Fears of resurgence of HIV\/Aids amid loss of access to PrEP drugs as at least 40 people arrested in \u2018toxic\u2019 climate<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A \u201cwitch-hunt\u201d 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cWith the recent witch-hunt, and these arrests that are taking place, the climate here is truly toxic,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cLGBTQ+ 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Niger\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontlinedefenders.org\/en\/statement-report\/new-anti-lgbtq-legislation-niger-increases-risks-faced-human-rights-defenders\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">new penal code<\/a>, enacted in February, dictates that \u201cindecent or unnatural acts\u201d and \u201csexual relations with a person of the same sex\u201d are punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to 100m West African CFA francs (\u00a3130,000).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">It is the first time in the country\u2019s history that homosexuality has been criminalised and follows the introduction of similar laws and penal codes in neighbouring Mali and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/burkina-faso\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Burkina Faso<\/a> within the past two years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, the head of the military government, seized power in a coup d\u2019\u00e9tat in July 2023 and was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2025\/apr\/01\/niger-junta-withdraws-from-lake-chad-anti-islamist-force\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">sworn in as president in 2025 for a term of five years<\/a>, dissolving all political parties in the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The former UN peacekeeper has pushed anti-imperialist rhetoric and formed the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/article\/2024\/jul\/08\/ecowas-warns-disintegration-juntas-split-west-african-bloc\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Alliance of Sahel States<\/a> with Burkina Faso and Mali, breaking away from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).<\/p>\n<figure id=\"f880d3fd-885c-4377-8480-36ca7ee6bbe4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Senegalese men demonstrate in Dakar against LGBTQ+ rights.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/3a8f4dec2bcf191867472bd29dceca5feb6965c6\/0_0_1024_682\/master\/1024.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"296.376953125\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"f880d3fd-885c-4377-8480-36ca7ee6bbe4\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Senegalese men demonstrate in Dakar against LGBTQ+ rights. <\/span> Photograph: AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Larissa Kojou\u00e9, a political scientist and pan-African activist, dismissed the idea of homosexuality being somehow linked to western culture. \u201cPolitical leaders are using this to advance their own political agenda,\u201d she said. \u201cThey claim \u2018African values\u2019, sovereignty and culture, all the while happily undermining human rights for people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">She added: \u201cThere is no culture that encourages violence against innocent people, or that doesn\u2019t hold perpetrators of violence accountable. But on the [African] continent you can do whatever you want with LGBTQ+ people and get away with it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The changes to the penal code started under Niger\u2019s previous civilian president, Mohamed Bazoum. But in March 2025, Tchiani\u2019s regime promulgated the <a href=\"https:\/\/rimap.unhcr.org\/node\/69582\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Charter of the Refoundation<\/a> to replace Niger\u2019s 2010 constitution.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Although the charter prohibits LGBTQ+ relations, criminal penalties related to these measures were only introduced with the new penal code in February.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">As well as harsh punishments for same-sex relations, it also mandates prison terms of up to 20 years for those participating in, witnessing or organising a gay marriage. Any person or organisation involved with clubs, societies or organisations for LGBTQ+ people, either directly or indirectly, is liable to be imprisoned for up to 20 years and face a fine of up to 500m CFA.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Men who have sex with men no longer have access to condoms, testing services or PrEP (medication protecting against HIV).<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The anonymous source warned of the risk of HIV infections spreading, saying: \u201cWhen people go into hiding, we won\u2019t see them and they won\u2019t be able to protect themselves. So you see the impact [this penal code] has. We are truly saddened by it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Last week, Niger was among eight countries that voted against the UN\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/digitallibrary.un.org\/record\/4119691?ln=en\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">political declaration on HIV\/Aids, <\/a>which was adopted by 149 votes. HIV infections increased between 2010 and 2025 in the Middle East, north Africa, Latin America, eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to the declaration.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"27246c15-c191-41f6-9754-c772650fea2d\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-1oq85qr\">\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" data-link-name=\"rich-link-18 | 18\" data-component=\"rich-link\" data-name=\"placeholder\" class=\"dcr-1rx5ky9\">\n<div data-format-theme=\"5\" data-format-design=\"0\" data-format-display=\"0\" class=\"dcr-15vltj4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2026\/apr\/07\/senegal-harsh-anti-gay-law-hiv-progress\" class=\"dcr-f35c0u\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-vvxpdt\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6z6e7\">\n<div class=\"dcr-zh9rih\">\u2018We fear the epidemic will return\u2019: Senegal\u2019s harsh anti-gay law puts decades of HIV progress in jeopardy<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-oj13vq\">\n<div class=\"dcr-ef9nua\">Read more<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">While <a href=\"https:\/\/share.google\/5bH5wNKucFcnNsN0t\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">western and central Africa has seen a 49% decline in new infections<\/a> between 2010 and 2022, sub-Saharan Africa remains disproportionately affected, representing <a href=\"https:\/\/share.google\/vqmWECF6MtoVAsvmq\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">64% of all people living with HIV<\/a> globally. There were an estimated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unaids.org\/en\/regionscountries\/countries\/niger\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">32,000 new infections in Niger in 2023<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The reform of Niger\u2019s penal code is part of a trend across sub-Saharan Africa towards more punitive legislation against LGBTQ+ people. In recent years several African states have introduced or strengthened laws criminalising same-sex relations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Examples include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2023\/mar\/21\/ugandan-mps-pass-bill-imposing-death-penalty-homosexuality\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Uganda\u2019s 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act<\/a>, which made homosexual acts punishable by death; a new law in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2026\/apr\/07\/senegal-harsh-anti-gay-law-hiv-progress\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Senegal doubling the maximum prison term to 10 years<\/a> for same-sex relations and criminalising the \u201cpromotion\u201d of homosexuality; and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/global-development\/2026\/jun\/01\/ghana-new-law-criminalising-lgbtq-activity\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">a bill in Ghana<\/a> criminalising groups promoting gay rights and identifying as LGBTQ+. Globally, half of the 66 countries <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humandignitytrust.org\/lgbt-the-law\/map-of-criminalisation\/\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">that criminalise consensual same-sex acts<\/a> are African.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">In a statement, the international human rights group <a href=\"https:\/\/www.frontlinedefenders.org\/en\/statement-report\/new-anti-lgbtq-legislation-niger-increases-risks-faced-human-rights-defenders\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Front Line Defenders said it was \u201cdeeply concerned\u201d<\/a> about developments in Niger, and called on authorities \u201cto repeal all provisions that criminalise individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as the individuals supporting and defending them\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/niger\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Niger<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/lgbt-rights\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">LGBTQ+ rights<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/africa\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Africa<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/global-development\/human-rights\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Human rights<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/society\/aids-and-hiv\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Aids and HIV<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/burkina-faso\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Burkina Faso<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/world\/mali\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">Mali<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/tone\/news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">news<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=%E2%80%98Witch-hunt%E2%80%99%20in%20Niger%20as%20military%20regime%20rounds%20up%20LGBTQ+%20population&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2026\/jul\/01\/witch-hunt-in-niger-as-military-regime-rounds-up-lgbtq-population?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2026%2Fjul%2F01%2Fwitch-hunt-in-niger-as-military-regime-rounds-up-lgbtq-population&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=world\/2026\/jul\/01\/witch-hunt-in-niger-as-military-regime-rounds-up-lgbtq-population\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-axwinp\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Niger\u2019s military leader, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in 2023. Photograph: AP View image in fullscreen Niger\u2019s military leader, Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in 2023. Photograph: AP &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/?p=2086\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2087,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2086","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world-news","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2086","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2086"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2086\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2086"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2086"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.cnnglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2086"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}