Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko’s firm stance on Senegal’s anti-LGBTQ+ law

The Senegalese government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing stricter penalties for same-sex relations, as announced by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko during a parliamentary session on May 22, 2026.

Sovereignty and societal values at the forefront

Ousmane Sonko addressed Western criticisms targeting Senegal’s legal amendments, emphasizing the country’s sovereign right to uphold its cultural and moral values. “The Senegalese people are sovereign. The vast majority reject certain practices in our society,” he declared.

Confronting Western influence on African values

Responding to domestic critics, including prominent figures like lawyer Alice Nkom, Sonko condemned what he described as Western attempts to impose LGBTQ+ rights on Africa. “There is a form of tyranny. Eight billion people exist globally, yet a small Western elite, controlling media and resources, seeks to normalize homosexuality worldwide. On what grounds?” he questioned.

The Prime Minister dismissed any possibility of a moratorium, stating emphatically: “This law will be enforced.”

Key provisions of the amended legislation

Senegal’s National Assembly adopted Law No. 2026-08 on March 27, 2026, amending Article 319 of the Penal Code to toughen sanctions against “unnatural acts.”

• Definition expansion: Unnatural acts now include any sexual act between same-sex individuals.
• Stricter penalties: Convicted individuals face 5 to 10 years imprisonment and fines ranging from 2,000,000 to 10,000,000 West African CFA francs.
• Additional offenses: The law criminalizes advocacy and financing of such acts.

The legislation also extends penalties to include acts committed on corpses or animals, reinforcing Senegal’s stance against practices deemed contrary to public order and morality.

No compromise on national values

Sonko underscored that Senegal, as an independent nation, reserves the right to define its legal and moral framework without external interference. “We are not negotiating our sovereignty,” he asserted.