Key facts
- Several West African countries are enacting or intensifying anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
- Senegal, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ghana have introduced or strengthened anti-LGBTQ+ laws.
- The legislation criminalizes same-sex relations and LGBTQ+ activities.
- Local political pressures are driving the legislative changes.
- A global conservative movement is influencing these actions.
- Activists cite political opportunism as a factor.
- Transnational reinforcement of conservative agendas is also noted.
Several West African countries are enacting or intensifying anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, responding to local political pressures and a global conservative movement. Nations including Senegal, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ghana have introduced or strengthened laws that criminalize same-sex relations and LGBTQ+ activities. Activists involved in monitoring these developments cite political opportunism as a significant factor, suggesting that leaders are leveraging these issues for political gain. Furthermore, these actions are seen as part of a broader, transnational reinforcement of conservative social agendas. The legislative push aims to further restrict or eliminate public expressions and legal recognition of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities within these nations.