After Senegal, Niger criminalizes homosexuality with up to 20 years in prison – La Nouvelle Tribune

On June 11, 2026, Niger's National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) promulgated a new penal code criminalizing same-sex relations, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison. The law also prohibits same-sex unions and activities of LGBTQIA+ organizations. The legislative process began in October 2023, with a prior ban in the Charter of Refoundation in March 2025. Niger becomes the third member of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to adopt such legislation, following Mali and Burkina Faso, while Senegal also increased penalties in March 2026.