Niger criminalizes same-sex relationships
The military government in Niger has adopted a new law that criminalizes same-sex relationships, thus following in the footsteps of several other West African countries.
Same-sex relationships will now be punishable by imprisonment for between five and ten years, as well as a fine.
Anyone who marries a person of the same sex risks between ten and twenty years in prison. According to the far-reaching law, the same punishment will be imposed on people involved in "associations for homosexuals or LGBTQIA people".
The initiative to change the law was taken during the country's previous civilian government, under President Mohamed Bazoum, after pressure from religious groups. The agenda has been furthered by General Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in a coup in 2023.
Similar laws have recently been introduced in Burkina Faso and Ghana, while Senegal has tightened existing penalties.
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