Human rights campaigners report a significant increase in restrictive anti-LGBTQ legislation across West Africa. Senegal recently doubled prison sentences for same-sex relations and criminalized the promotion of homosexuality, while Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have introduced similar bans. Ghana has also passed legislation criminalizing LGBTQ+ activities, although it still awaits presidential approval. Campaigners argue that political leaders are exploiting anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment to strengthen their support, often with backing from religious organizations and foreign conservative groups, such as the US-based Family Watch International. The impact has been severe: transgender women in Burkina Faso have faced detention and abuse, while LGBTQ+ people across the region report entrapment and blackmail. The development has also disrupted HIV prevention efforts. Activists warn that the regional trend threatens human rights protections and could further marginalize LGBTQ+ people across West Africa.
The Guardian