The recent legislative shift in Sénégal has intensified the persecution of LGBTQIA+ individuals, with new laws doubling prison sentences for same-sex relationships and imposing severe financial penalties. This development underscores the growing divide between global human rights progress and local legal frameworks in West Africa.
stricter penalties and rising persecution
The administration of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye elevated the maximum prison term for “unnatural acts” from five to ten years, while fines escalated tenfold—potentially reaching 10 million West African CFA francs (over 15,000 euros). The bill, framed as a sovereignty measure by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, passed unanimously in the Sénégal National Assembly on March 11, 2026, with 135 votes in favor and none against.
immediate impact on the ground
Within weeks of implementation, over 100 individuals suspected of homosexuality were detained. Fear has become pervasive, with one young man confiding, “You live with the constant threat of being arrested. You must hide. Fear is not a way to live.” Many avoid public spaces entirely, knowing their presence could provoke mob violence. An engineer from France was recently apprehended in a highly publicized raid, highlighting that no one is exempt from the crackdown.
a toxic blend of politics and religious rhetoric
The religious group And Sàmm Jikko Yi, which campaigned aggressively for the law, has labeled LGBTQIA+ individuals a “public danger.” Its president, Imam Babacar Sylla, has publicly claimed—without evidence—that they “deliberately spread diseases,” while openly admitting to harboring no empathy for the community. This narrative has been embraced by the government to divert attention from economic struggles, portraying homosexuality as an “imported Western threat” incompatible with Senegalese values.
a step backward for human rights
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has condemned the law, stating it “exposes already vulnerable individuals to arbitrary arrests, violence, and humiliation.” The legislation also criminalizes any form of advocacy or support for LGBTQIA+ rights, effectively gagging freedom of expression. Compounding the crisis, HIV testing rates have plummeted as individuals fear carrying condoms or lubricants could lead to prosecution. “Fear of being tracked or arrested prevents people from getting tested or seeking treatment, threatening decades of public health progress.” an insider from a Senegalese LGBTQIA+ rights group revealed.
Sénégal now joins 31 other African nations that criminalize homosexuality—alongside 21 in Asia. While countries like Uganda and Nigeria are notorious for their extreme measures, Sénégal, long viewed as a bastion of stability, has taken a drastic turn. For many, exile or silence are the only viable options left.
