'Witch-hunt' in Niger as military regime rounds up LGBTQ+ population [View all]

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

‘Witch-hunt’ in Niger as military regime rounds up LGBTQ+ population

Fears of resurgence of HIV/Aids amid loss of access to PrEP drugs as at least 40 people arrested in ‘toxic’ climate

Sarah Johnson
Wed 1 Jul 2026 08.00 BST
Last modified on Wed 1 Jul 2026 13.40 BST

A “witch-hunt” is under way in Niger, where dozens of people have been arrested for homosexuality in the west African state following the introduction of a new penal code earlier this year.

Up to 40 people have been arrested and 16 men, including high-ranking military officials, have been imprisoned across the country, according to local media.

Organisations providing HIV services to men who have sex with men have had to stop working, according to a source who asked to remain anonymous.

“With the recent witch-hunt, and these arrests that are taking place, the climate here is truly toxic,” they said.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/01/witch-hunt-in-niger-as-military-regime-rounds-up-lgbtq-population