Senegal’s Sonko intensifies stance against homosexuality

In a bold declaration on Friday, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko vehemently condemned what he described as Western pressure to “impose homosexuality worldwide.” His remarks came amid an already tense climate in the country, where hostility toward LGBTQ+ individuals has intensified, leading to multiple arrests under existing anti-homosexuality laws.

Earlier in March, Senegal passed legislation doubling the sentences for same-sex relations, increasing penalties to five to ten years in prison. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye signed the bill into law on March 31, solidifying the country’s strict stance on the issue.

Defiance against international criticism

Addressing lawmakers, Sonko dismissed foreign criticism, particularly from France, and ruled out any moratorium on enforcing the law. His remarks followed a mid-May appeal by over thirty prominent figures of African descent, who warned in a public statement of a “climate of fear, hatred, and violence” gripping the nation since the law’s passage.

Rather than softening his position, Sonko doubled down on the government’s resolve. “We must put an end to the spread of homosexuality,” he declared, calling for the judiciary to enforce the law “fully and perfectly.”

While this rhetoric resonates politically within Senegal, it also raises growing concerns. By criminalizing consensual adult relationships, authorities risk fueling stigma, denunciations, and violence. Even without embracing Western debates on the topic, the fundamental principles of human dignity and protection from hatred should remain universal values.