Senegal’s prime minister condemns western LGBTQ+ pressure

Dakar — Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has sharply criticized what he describes as Western attempts to impose LGBTQ+ values on African nations, emphasizing that the country will not yield to such pressures.

The statement comes as Senegal enforces a recently enacted law that significantly increases penalties for same-sex relationships, a move Sonko defended as necessary to preserve the nation’s cultural and moral integrity.

New legislation doubles penalties for same-sex relationships

In late March, Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye signed into law amendments that double the maximum penalty for same-sex relationships, escalating punishments from one to five years to five to ten years in prison. The legislation also introduces stricter penalties for individuals found guilty of promoting or financing such relationships, with sentences ranging from three to seven years.

Speaking before lawmakers, Sonko condemned the growing international criticism of the law, particularly from Western countries, which he argued seek to impose foreign values on Senegal.

« There is a form of tyranny at play here. With eight billion people in the world, a small group called the West, which controls resources and media, is attempting to force its views on the rest of humanity, » Sonko declared.

Government stands firm against foreign interference

The Prime Minister dismissed claims that Senegal’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues has drawn international backlash, asserting that no Asian, African, or Arab nation has joined the criticism.

« If they choose these practices, that is their concern. However, we have no lessons to learn from them, absolutely none, » he stated.

Sonko also urged Senegal’s judiciary to ensure the law is enforced fully and without compromise, rejecting calls for a moratorium on its application. These calls emerged following a recent editorial in a French newspaper by a group of African intellectuals advocating for a pause in enforcement.

Cultural sovereignty vs. external pressures

Sonko’s remarks underscore a broader debate in Senegal, a predominantly Muslim nation, where LGBTQ+ rights have long been a contentious issue. Supporters of the new law argue it protects traditional values, while critics view it as a violation of human rights.

The government’s firm stance reflects a growing trend across Africa, where many nations are pushing back against what they perceive as Western attempts to dictate social and moral standards.

As Senegal moves forward with implementing the new legislation, the clash between national sovereignty and international expectations continues to intensify.