Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko addressed parliament on May 22, 2026, emphasizing that Senegal’s strengthened anti-homosexuality law will be enforced without exception.

The government’s stance follows criticism from Western nations condemning Senegal’s decision to increase penalties for same-sex relations. Sonko reiterated that Senegal remains a sovereign nation entitled to uphold its cultural and social values.

“The Senegalese people are sovereign. The vast majority reject such practices,” Sonko stated firmly during the parliamentary session.

Confronting Western pressure

In response to international backlash, including from African legal advocates like Alice Nkom, Sonko dismissed claims of human rights violations, framing Western demands as an attempt to impose values on Africa.

“There is a form of tyranny at play. With eight billion people worldwide, a small Western elite—despite internal debates—uses its media dominance to force homosexuality on the rest of the globe. On what authority?” he argued.

Sonko categorically ruled out any moratorium on the law’s implementation, declaring, “This law will be applied in full.”

The National Assembly passed Law No. 2026-08 on March 27, 2026, amending Article 319 of the 1965 Penal Code to broaden the definition of “unnatural acts” and increase penalties for same-sex relations, advocacy, and financial support.

The revised legislation defines unnatural acts as:

• Any sexual act between individuals of the same sex;
• Sexual acts involving a corpse or an animal.

Violations carry penalties of 5 to 10 years in prison and fines ranging from 2 million to 10 million CFA francs, with additional punishments for rape or pedophilia.