Several West African countries are introducing or strengthening laws targeting LGBTQ+ communities, reflecting a growing regional trend driven by domestic political pressure, religious influence and broader opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
In recent months, countries including Senegal, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana have either passed new legislation or expanded existing restrictions on same-sex relationships and LGBTQ+ activities.
In March, Senegal increased the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations to 10 years and introduced a new offence criminalising the “promotion” of homosexuality. Earlier in February, Niger outlawed same-sex sexual relations for the first time in the country’s history.
Military-led governments in Mali and Burkina Faso have also criminalised same-sex relationships over the past two years, marking a significant shift in both countries’ legal systems.
Meanwhile, Ghana, where same-sex relations are already illegal, approved legislation in June that would criminalise a broad range of LGBTQ+ activities. The bill has yet to receive presidential approval before becoming law.
Anthony Oluoch, a representative of continental LGBTQ+ advocacy group Pan Africa ILGA, said the recent wave of legislation appears to be driven largely by political interests.
He said many governments have gained support from religious organisations and campaigns promoting so-called “family values”, while others have framed the laws as efforts to protect national sovereignty from Western influence.
Rights activists in Burkina Faso claim LGBTQ+ individuals have increasingly become targets of discrimination and political scapegoating.
One activist, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the community has faced growing intimidation even before the country’s new law came into force.
Human rights workers also alleged that transgender women had previously been detained without trial and subjected to abuse, while police have reportedly used social media to identify and arrest LGBTQ+ individuals and pressure them into revealing information about others.
Despite promoting anti-Western policies, Burkina Faso has also attracted support from conservative international organisations campaigning against LGBTQ+ rights.
The African Inter-Parliamentary Conference on Family Values and Sovereignty, which critics say has influenced anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the continent, is expected to hold future meetings in Burkina Faso and Eswatini after previously gathering in Uganda and Ghana.
According to reproductive rights organisation Ipas, several international conservative groups, including US-based Family Watch International, have supported the conference, which also promotes opposition to abortion, comprehensive sex education and broader LGBTQ+ rights.
Researchers have suggested that international advocacy groups have played a role in supporting anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns across Africa by providing funding, political backing and strategic messaging.
The legal changes have also raised concerns among healthcare organisations, particularly those involved in HIV prevention.
Activists in Senegal warned that tougher laws are making it increasingly difficult to provide HIV-related healthcare to vulnerable communities, including men who have sex with men and transgender women.
Some LGBTQ+ individuals have reportedly fled neighbouring countries in search of safety. However, many Senegalese who sought refuge in The Gambia were forced to return after running out of financial resources.
Advocates also fear neighbouring countries could introduce even stricter legislation, further limiting access to healthcare and increasing discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities across the region.
