Lawmakers in Senegal have approved a controversial bill that increases penalties for same-sex relationships. The legislation, adopted by the National Assembly on Wednesday, raises the maximum prison sentence to 10 years and introduces new sanctions against individuals accused of promoting or supporting same-sex relations.
The proposed law still requires the signature of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye before it officially takes effect. If enacted, it will replace the existing punishment of one to five years in prison with a harsher penalty ranging from five to ten years for what the legislation describes as “acts against nature,” a phrase used to refer to homosexual relations.
In addition to punishing same-sex acts, the bill establishes new offences targeting advocacy or financial support related to same-sex relationships. Individuals found guilty of promoting such activities could face between three and seven years behind bars. Financial penalties have also been increased dramatically, with fines rising from the previous range of 100,000 to 1.5 million CFA francs to between two million and ten million CFA francs.
The measure was approved by lawmakers after hours of debate. Of the members present, 135 voted in favor, none opposed the proposal and three abstained. During the session, legislator Diaraye Ba declared that homosexuals would no longer enjoy freedom of expression in the country, a statement that drew applause from some colleagues.
Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up arrests linked to the country’s existing anti-LGBTQ laws. Since February, local media report that dozens of men have been detained, including 12 individuals arrested earlier this year, among them two well-known personalities. In many cases, arrests reportedly followed accusations or phone searches, and the names of suspects have frequently been made public.
The bill also introduces penalties for people who falsely accuse others of same-sex activity without evidence. However, the prison sentence under the new law would apply in cases involving minors.
Debate over homosexuality has intensified in recent years in the Muslim-majority West African nation. Religious groups have regularly organized demonstrations demanding tougher punishments, arguing that LGBTQ advocacy represents foreign influence.
Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko had previously pledged to transform same-sex relations into a more serious criminal offence. Although he presented the new bill to parliament, it still categorizes the act as a misdemeanour rather than elevating it to a more severe crime, prompting criticism from opposition figures who say he did not fully honor his earlier promise.
In parallel, social media platforms in the country have seen a surge of hostile messages targeting people suspected of homosexuality, with some posts calling for individuals to be publicly exposed. Sensational headlines in certain media outlets have also amplified the issue, occasionally linking arrests for same-sex relations to unrelated criminal investigations, including a separate case involving alleged abuse of minors.
Across Africa, laws criminalizing same-sex relationships remain widespread. More than half of the continent’s countries maintain such legislation, while several impose particularly severe punishments.
Nations such as Uganda, Mauritania and Somalia allow the death penalty for certain offences, while others—including Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania and Sierra Leone—permit sentences that can stretch from a decade in prison to life imprisonment.
