Lawmakers in Senegal have passed a controversial bill that doubles the maximum prison sentence for same-sex relations to 10 years, intensifying the country’s crackdown on LGBTQ people. The legislation, approved by the National Assembly of Senegal on Wednesday by 135 votes in favor, none against and three abstentions, must still be signed into law by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. Under the new measure, “acts against nature,” a legal term used to refer to same-sex relations will carry five to 10 years in prison, compared with the previous penalty of one to five years. The law also introduces penalties of three to seven years in jail for individuals accused of promoting or financing same-sex relationships.
The bill was introduced to parliament by Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko, who previously pledged to strengthen laws criminalizing same-sex relations. Authorities have reportedly arrested dozens of men under existing laws since February. In one widely reported case, police detained 12 men, including two local celebrities, during a raid that marked the beginning of a wave of recent arrests. Investigations have often relied on accusations from members of the public and searches of suspects’ mobile phones, with the names of detainees frequently publicized. The new legislation also significantly increases financial penalties. Fines will now range from two million to 10 million CFA francs (about $3,500 to $17,600), compared with the previous range of 100,000 to 1.5 million CFA francs.
The harshest sentence will apply if the offense involves a minor. At the same time, the bill introduces penalties for anyone who falsely accuses another person of same-sex conduct without proof. During the parliamentary debate, lawmaker Diaraye Ba said from the podium that “homosexuals will no longer breathe in this country,” a remark that drew applause from some lawmakers. In recent years, LGBTQ rights have become a contentious political issue in Senegal, a Muslim-majority nation where religious organizations have staged demonstrations calling for stricter enforcement of anti-gay laws. Social media campaigns targeting suspected LGBTQ individuals have also intensified, with some media outlets publishing sensational headlines about the arrests.
The legislation comes amid broader debates across Africa about laws regulating same-sex relationships. According to rights groups, at least 32 of Africa’s 54 countries criminalize same-sex relations. In countries such as Uganda, Mauritania and Somalia, the death penalty can apply under certain legal systems, while others including Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Sierra Leone impose long prison terms.
