Several West African countries are enacting stricter anti-LGBTQ+ laws, driven by local political dynamics and a global backlash against LGBTQ+ rights. Senegal recently increased prison sentences for same-sex relations, while Niger criminalized same-sex intimacy for the first time. Other nations like Mali and Burkina Faso have also introduced similar legislation, often supported by religious groups and framed as a defense of national values.
Activists report that these laws have led to increased violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, with instances of police entrapment and detentions. The situation is exacerbated by regional conferences promoting anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, reflecting a broader trend of political opportunism targeting marginalized communities to consolidate power.