Senegal’s stance on homosexuality: PM Sonko rejects Western pressure

The Prime Minister of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, has strongly criticized Western nations for attempting to impose their views on homosexuality onto Africa, emphasizing that Senegal will not yield to such ‘tyranny.’ Speaking before lawmakers, Sonko firmly rejected any possibility of a moratorium on the newly enacted legislation that significantly toughens penalties for same-sex relationships in the predominantly Muslim West African nation.

In early March, Senegal’s parliament passed a controversial law doubling the prison sentences for homosexual acts, increasing them from five to ten years. The legislation was swiftly signed into law by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye on March 31. This move comes amid rising homophobia in the country and a series of arrests tied to alleged homosexuality.

Sonko’s fiery speech against Western interference

During his address to the National Assembly, Sonko condemned what he described as a ‘tyranny’ by Western powers. ‘There is a form of tyranny at play,’ he declared. ‘While the world’s population stands at eight billion, a small group called the West, despite internal divisions on this issue, wields immense influence over global media and seeks to impose its views on the rest of the world. But on what grounds?’

The Prime Minister went further, addressing criticism from abroad, particularly from France. ‘If they have chosen these practices, that is their concern,’ he asserted. ‘We will not accept any lectures from them—absolutely not.’ His remarks underscore Senegal’s determination to uphold its cultural and religious values in the face of external pressure.

No compromise on the law

Contrary to Western demands for a moratorium, Sonko made it unequivocally clear that Senegal would not back down. ‘There will be no moratorium,’ he stated. ‘If this law needs to be strengthened further, it will be. The justice system must ensure its full, impartial, and rigorous application.’ The government’s stated goal is to curb the spread of homosexuality, which it views as a threat to Senegalese society.

The Prime Minister also dismissed a recent plea from a group of thirty African-origin personalities, published in a French newspaper, calling for a halt to the law’s enforcement. These figures cited a climate of fear, hatred, and violence allegedly exacerbated by the legislation. Sonko dismissed their concerns, attributing such reactions to a sense of inferiority among parts of Senegal’s elite. ‘A segment of our elites suffers from a complex,’ he remarked.

In Senegal, same-sex relationships are widely regarded as a moral violation, and the government’s crackdown on them has been a long-standing political promise. The recent legislative changes reflect the ruling party’s commitment to these conservative values, resonating strongly with much of the population.