Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has made a forceful declaration regarding the enforcement of Senegal’s strengthened anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Addressing lawmakers on May 22, 2026, he outlined the government’s stance amid mounting criticism from international observers.

The Prime Minister emphasized that Senegal, as a sovereign nation, reserves the right to define its legal boundaries in accordance with domestic values. “The Senegalese people are sovereign. The vast majority do not support certain practices being imposed on our society,” Sonko stated during the parliamentary session.

Criticism from Western governments and human rights groups regarding the bill has been met with resolute responses from Dakar. Sonko specifically targeted comments from African legal figures, including Alice Nkom, who have questioned the law’s legitimacy.

“There exists a form of tyranny. With eight billion people on Earth, a small Western elite—despite internal divisions—leverages global influence and media dominance to force their views on the rest of the world. But by what authority?” Sonko questioned, rejecting calls for any moratorium on enforcement.

“This law will be applied in full,” he declared, underscoring the government’s unwavering position.

Legislative changes and their implications

Lawmakers adopted Bill No. 2026-08 on March 27, 2026, amending Article 319 of the 1965 Penal Code to introduce harsher penalties for same-sex acts. The updated legislation redefines “unnatural acts” to include any sexual activity between individuals of the same gender, as well as acts involving corpses or animals.

The law stipulates that violations will result in prison sentences ranging from five to ten years and fines between 2,000,000 and 10,000,000 West African CFA francs. These penalties apply regardless of whether additional charges, such as rape or pedophilia, are applicable.