Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko made this clear during a parliamentary session addressing current affairs on May 22, 2026.
The announcement follows growing criticism from Western nations regarding Senegal’s decision to strengthen penalties for same-sex relations.
Sonko emphasized that Senegal remains a sovereign nation and must protect itself from practices incompatible with its societal values.
“The Senegalese people are sovereign. The vast majority of our citizens reject these practices,” Sonko stated.
Confronting foreign pressure
In response to criticism from certain African elites, including lawyer Alice Nkom, Sonko condemned what he described as attempts by Western powers to impose their views globally.
“There exists a form of tyranny. With eight billion people worldwide, a small Western elite—despite internal divisions—uses its media dominance to force its ideology on others. But on what grounds?” Sonko questioned.
He firmly rejected any possibility of a moratorium after the law’s implementation, declaring, “This law will be enforced without exception.”
The National Assembly passed Law No. 2026-08 on March 27, 2026, amending Article 319 of the 1965 Penal Code to further criminalize “unnatural acts.”
The updated legislation redefines “unnatural acts” to include same-sex sexual relations and enhances penalties, now also targeting those who advocate for or finance such acts.
According to the law, “an unnatural act constitutes any sexual act between individuals of the same sex.” Additionally, the law classifies as unnatural “any sexual act committed by a person of either sex on a human corpse or an animal.”
Offenders face imprisonment ranging from five to ten years and fines between 2 million and 10 million West African CFA francs, with no prejudice to harsher penalties for rape or pedophilia.
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